Exodus 35:10-19 (ESV)

“Let every skillful craftsman among you come and make all that the LORD has commanded: the tabernacle, its tent and its covering, its hooks and its frames, its bars, its pillars, and its bases; the ark with its poles, the mercy seat, and the veil of the screen; the table with its poles and all its utensils, and the bread of the Presence; the lampstand also for the light, with its utensils and its lamps, and the oil for the light; and the altar of incense, with its poles, and the anointing oil and the fragrant incense, and the screen for the door, at the door of the tabernacle; the altar of burnt offering, with its grating of bronze, its poles, and all its utensils, the basin and its stand; the hangings of the court, its pillars and its bases, and the screen for the gate of the court; the pegs of the tabernacle and the pegs of the court, and their cords; the finely worked garments for ministering in the Holy Place, the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, for their service as priests.”

What a staggering undertaking all this is. There are hundreds of tasks and thousands of details, which must all be coordinated. The project management is daunting, but where are they going to get the people to do all the work?

The Israelites are still responsible for tending their livestock, patching their tents, raising their kids, and every other aspect of running their lives (except producing food). This is on top of all that. They need the people to use their gifts in holy tasks.

What a perfect picture of the church.

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. … Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. – 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, 27 (ESV)

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: – 1 Peter 4:10 (ESV)

Everyone has a role to play in the church – probably more than one. Furthermore, your role can change over time. If you’re not sure what your role is, good. God doesn’t want you to get stuck in one spot.

Growth in Christ is often rooted in growth in church jobs. Expect to be called to do things you never imagined. Writing was absolutely dead last on my list of possible roles. You just never know.

This is one of those times where, when God calls, the phone actually rings. God’s doesn’t usually whisper in your ear that you have a gift you haven’t noticed; someone in your church is going to ask you for help with something.

Next thing you know, you’re outside of your comfort zone and doing just fine.

Life in Christ is exciting that way.

The weekly study guides, which include all six devotionals plus related questions for discussion or meditation, are available for download here:

https://www.ailbe.org/resources/itemlist/category/91-deep-studies