All who were willing . . .

We know and are told that we are a people blessed with talents and gifts from God. Sometimes these are more obvious gifts in the form of artwork or music and other times they are the less tangible gifts of communication, compassion and service. We have ALL been gifted with something. Something special to be used for the glory of God. Whether it's knowing how to bake a pie for someone or just being there to listen and encourage.

I have learned recently in my Bible reading that it is not enough to simply posses these gifts. We need to use them. To be more exact, we need to be WILLING to allow God to use the gifts he's given us in whatever way he chooses. I know for myself, I have spent decades holding back from using some specific gifts fearing that I was not worthy, or good enough to use those gifts. Taking the first step of acknowledging the gifts we posses can be scary enough, let alone actually putting them to use. Enter God and friends.  Without the healing I've experienced through placing my trust in Jesus and the support of a few true friends, I wouldn't have been able to break through those mental and emotional barriers I had built up throughout my life. God, through his grace and mercy has shown me that HIS plan for my life is better than anything I could ever accomplish on my own. And when I feel that he is asking me to do something, no matter how scary, it is BETTER to follow his will  . . . because I trust him. I trust in HIM more than in myself. 

I know that he sees everything while I am only capable of seeing what is in the present. So, the key to his plan being fulfilled in my life, is to continually seek and follow his will in the present, because that is all I can do. And how wonderful is it that God is always good, always faithful and all powerful.

When I feel afraid of moving forward or am at a loss as to where or how to begin, I turn to his word and time with him. I ask for his wisdom and guidance and he reveals to me moment by moment, day by day, what he wants me to do. It is not an easy process, but it has been so worth it for me. I believe you will feel the same as well.

The following verses helped me to understand that I must be WILLING to use the gifts he's given me, because he has a plan for those gifts. And I want to be a part of his plan.


Exodus 35:20-29 (New International Version, ©2010)

20 Then the whole Israelite community withdrew from Moses’ presence, 21 and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them came and brought an offering to the LORD for the work on the tent of meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments. 22 All who were willing, men and women alike, came and brought gold jewelry of all kinds: brooches, earrings, rings and ornaments. They all presented their gold as a wave offering to the LORD. 23 Everyone who had blue, purple or scarlet yarn or fine linen, or goat hair, ram skins dyed red or the other durable leather brought them. 24 Those presenting an offering of silver or bronze brought it as an offering to the LORD, and everyone who had acacia wood for any part of the work brought it. 25 Every skilled woman spun with her hands and brought what she had spun—blue, purple or scarlet yarn or fine linen. 26 And all the women who were willing and had the skill spun the goat hair. 27 The leaders brought onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece. 28 They also brought spices and olive oil for the light and for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense. 29 All the Israelite men and women who were willing brought to the LORD freewill offerings for all the work the LORD through Moses had commanded them to do.

Exodus 35:30-35 (New International Version, ©2010)

30 Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the LORD has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 31 and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— 32 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 33 to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts. 34 And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others. 35 He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers.

Exodus 36:2-3 (New International Version, ©2010)

2 Then Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the LORD had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work. 3 They received from Moses all the offerings the Israelites had brought to carry out the work of constructing the sanctuary. And the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning.