Gifts from the Master

2 Chronicles 2:13-14
“I am sending you a master craftsman named Huram-abi, who is extremely talented.  His mother is from the tribe of Dan in Israel, and his father is from Tyre. He is skillful at making things from gold, silver, bronze, and iron, and he also works with stone and wood. He can work with purple, blue, and scarlet cloth and fine linen. He is also an engraver and can follow any design given to him. He will work with your craftsmen and those appointed by my lord David, your father."

Throughout my life I've tried my hand at several different crafts. I've enjoyed most of them but none as much as embroidery. It broke my heart when arthritis started dominating my hands. Mostly the base of my thumbs. So I gave it up for awhile. In the interim I had a co-worker ask me about the how-tos. She wanted to learn a few stitches. I loaned her my books and gave her a few pointers. She did a great job, but as I looked at her work and that of others, I realized how much I missed running the floss through fabric to create beauty.

Long story short, I went to a hand doctor and got a cortisone shot that allows temporary relief so I can hand sew, again. When I showed my coworker the embroidery I'd been working on she gave me the best compliment. She called me a master of the craft. The truth is, the Master of life gave me the ability to stitch beauty out of thread and fabric. When we're born, God instills in us the talents we use throughout life. I'm thankful I've had the opportunity to develop my craft or master it, so to speak.

God has given each person gifts and abilities to use to serve others and Him. I appreciate the talents God has given me, in hand crafts and other areas of my life. I encourage you to take some time and discover your strengths. Explore your gifts and develop your passion. God created you as a unique soul with a purpose. Praise God for giving everyone different abilities and skills.

What do Sassafras Leaves and God's People have in Common?

Ephesians 4:14-16
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.  Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.  From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

When I wandered through the woods as a kid, I was fascinated with the variety of trees God created. My favorite, the sassafras tree, bore three different leaves. Not many trees can claim that. A mitten leaf, three “fingered” and kind of an oval leaf live together on the branches. Even though the leaves are different, they feed from the same source and draw life from the same nutrients.

As followers of Jesus, the church is filled with a variety of people. All different, but all feeding from the same life source— Jesus. God created each person as a unique individual with specific talents and gifts. I love when all those believers come together and show Jesus to the world. My daughter directs Vacation Bible School each year at the church she attends. Every year challenges rise. This year was no exception. Yet because all the people involved focused on God, both children and workers were blessed in abundance.  Maggie posted this on Facebook, “…I love seeing God's servants come out and work so hard for these kids…Service is what this week was all about, and the example these kids witnessed through my dear church family's willingness to give of themselves is the greatest lesson they received.”

God created us to work together for his kingdom. Praise God for those who obey and serve.

Share a time when you saw people work together for God.