Gifted by God’s Spirit for Service – Saved to Serve Joyfully!

Do you know who Bezalel and Oholiab are in Scripture? Did you ever have any friends with those names? Did any of you name your children Bezalel or Oholiab? In the book of Exodus we learn about these two men who were craftsmen extraordinaire!

Moses taught the Israelites about Bezalel in Exodus 35:30-31, “See, the LORD has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; 31 and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship,” Later in verses 34-35 we hear similar praises concerning Oholiab. God instructed Moses to task these two men with leadership in constructing the Tabernacle for the worship of God’s people as they wandered in the wilderness. In Exodus 36:1 we also read about these men, "Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whom the LORD has put skill and intelligence to know how to do any work in the construction of the sanctuary shall work in accordance with all that the LORD has commanded."

Perhaps you also saw what I did. These men were not just talented on their own. The Lord, Himself, filled these men with His Spirit so they possessed “skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship,” Wouldn’t it be wonderful to watch these men work?

l have personally struggled at times with handyman and fix-it chores around my home. I am in awe of men and women who have such talents. Ron Svedin displayed great skill in building the Robert E. Rockey Pavilion at St. John Lutheran in Palmer, Alaska. As I watched, I was amazed. My wife is a wizard with a sewing machine, or with a serger, or an embroidery machine, or a quilting machine, or just with her hands. It is amazing, not only what she has sewn for family and friends, but also the work she has done for congregations to help with the altar, or baptism napkins, or communion purificators and cloths. Her quilts are works of art. Kathy is gifted and blesses others, and serves the Lord, with her gift.

As I was reading about Bezalel and Oholiab in my devotions on Tuesday, March 3, I thought about the survey for this coming Sunday at First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, FL. The survey is entitled, “What’s Your Superpower?” In filling out this survey God’s people will prayerfully consider their interests and skills, and say they are willing to consider using these skills to serve our Lord.

Some might say, “I don’t have any special abilities. However, in 1 Corinthians 12 the Apostle Paul teaches about gifts such as knowledge, and wisdom, and faith, and many others, “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. . . . All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.” (1 Corinthians 12:7, 11) Every child of God is gifted in some way. We are blessed with our abilities, not just for ourselves, but . . . ‘for the common good.’ Consider, for example, Bezalel and Oholiab.

In addition, one of my favorite Bible verses explains why I might want to use my gifts to serve God and others. “and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” (2 Corinthians 5:15) I WANT to live for Jesus BECAUSE He died and rose for me!

Do you know anyone named Bezalel or Oholiab? Nevertheless, I expect that you do know some children of God who have special gifts and abilities, and who willingly and joyfully use these gifts to serve the Lord and others.

How are you gifted by God’s Spirit? Where are you serving? Are you finding joy in your service?