The World's Got Talent

These are a few pictures of the area where I live. Beautiful country.

More on my Exodus reading....

I must have read this before, but you know how you read the Word and get one thing, then read again and get MORE? Well.....

Exodus 35 starting with verse 4, "And Moses spoke to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, 'This is the thing which the Lord has commanded, saying, "Take from among you a contribution to the Lord; whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as the Lord's contribution: gold, silver and bronze, and blue, purple, scarlet material, fine linen, goats' hair, and rams' skins dyed red and porpoise skins, and acacia wood..."

"Whoever is of a willing heart". Some people's view, (and sometimes even my own view), is of a God who demands that orders be done. Sometimes, I forget that He is this kind. He wants those with a WILLING heart to bring these contributions. And how does that make the people feel when it's asked for in that way? I know with my kids if I let them choose to do something special, it goes better than giving them an order to be kind and do this thing. How would YOU feel if God asked you to bring Him a contribution? And it was for building the tabernacle. It's even more than just doing something special for someone "famous", this is GOD! I would hope that I would have a willing heart to give away everything to my Lord!

"And everyone who's heart stirred in him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, came and brought the Lord's contribution for the work of the tent of meeting and for all it's service and for it's Holy garments." Ex 35:21 (I would think that anyone NOT giving would be feeling a wee bit awkward. ha ha!).

"Everyone who could make a contribution of silver and bronze brought the Lord's contribution." They all helped out - if they could. Of course some might not have the expensive things, but surely there was at least one way in which they could be of help.

So, what's this about talent? Let's see: Verse 25a "And all the skilled women spun with their hands, and brought what they had spun."

Then God called Bezalel by name and filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all craftsmanship to make designs for working with gold, bronze, silver, for cutting stones and making settings, and in the carving of wood so as to perform in every inventive work. He also put in his heart to teach...he also filled [him and 2 others] with the skill to perform every work of an engraver and of a designer and of an embroiderer...and of a weaver as a performers of work and maker of designs, also construction.

"Then Moses called Bezalel, Oholiab and every skillful person in whom the Lord had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him, to come to the work to perform it." 36:2

As a side note, the people were bringing so many materials that they had more than enough so the Lord commanded them to quit bringing it. LOL Wow! Are we that giving? That God has to tell us to stop?

The Lord put the skill in these people. This was long before there were modern day tools. Long before modern looms were invented, jewelry -making tools..etc. Yet, I can't help but think that even people now, skilled people, have been given their talent from God, their creator. I'd like to give Him credit anyway. :) And what a thought that if they were using their talent for their Creator, how much more glorified He would be. :) It gives me shivers almost just thinking about it.

Here are things God has blessed me with the ability of doing, and not just doing, but having a passion for:

Cooking nutritious AND delicious foods.

I enjoy gazing (some would call it staring...)at creation, whether that is unique people, flowers, sunny skies, gray skies, other's talent...

Working with my hands, spinning wool, crocheting, sewing.

Express my passions, thoughts and emotions through music, singing, writing and drawing and prayer.

Working in the dirt, watching miracles grow in my garden.

Taking care of people and having compassion on the poor and generously giving.

Teaching others the things I have learned from others that have taught me!

Being a mom and a wife who loves and teaches her family about the Creator and Lover of all people!

Being a Godly woman and serving Him with my whole heart.

Now, before you're thinking that I'M thinking I have it all down... I do not and I know it. But these are my passions. I've failed miserably many times and also consider myself a Jill of All Trades, Master of None. :)

What passions and talents has God given you? What contributions could you give to Him? Could you use any of those to glorify Him? I have to think that yes, yes you can. God has not called me to live a super-fantastic elaborate life. He has called me to be the best that He has created me to be..... and I love that.