Unique Gifts

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 workas engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers.  Exodus 35

Bezalel was given artistic gifts.  It seems there was nothing he couldn't do.  Metalworking, gem cutting, woodworking, and "all kinds of artistic crafts."

I am a mother and a member of a sorority - two groups that have a great love for all things Pinterest and crafty.  I must be doubly crafty then, right?  Nope!  I crochet patterns that I find online and that's about it.  I don't come up with designs on my own from looking at pictures online.  I hate anything that involves working with glitter and have only used it reluctantly on occasion.  I still draw stick figures.  I can't pick out colors to paint in the rooms of my house.  Some people can see colors in their head and know what will look good in a room, or know how to organize a room.  I wasn't born like that.  While I am sometimes jealous of the fabulous creations my friends come up with, I realize that God didn't make me like that.  And that's OK.

He gave me my own set of gifts that my friends may not have.  It is up to each of us to us to discover what those gifts are and find ways to use them to glorify God.  Did Bezalel and Oholiab initially think, "Wow, I love woodworking.  This is the perfect way to glorify God!"  I doubt it.  They probably enjoyed doing their crafts and were doing it for a living.  When the Israelites began to build the temple and furnishings, they were probably champing at the bit and shouting, "Pick me!  Pick me!" because they saw they had gifts and knew that this was what God gave them their gifts for.

We have a tendency to see other people using their gifts for God's glory and think, "I can't do that."  Stop comparing yourself to others.  Every one of you has unique gifts that come from God.  My church uses around a hundred volunteers each Sunday.  There are greeters, musicians, singers, sound technicians, lighting technicians, nursery workers, Sunday school teachers, parking lot attendants, coffee stand attendants, and I'm sure others that I can't think of.  The point is, everyone is doing something that uses their unique gifts.  God has given us a wide variety of gifts so that we may make up a complete body.  Look at your gifts differently and see if you can find new ways to use them for God.