I have been hurting for almost a week. I’ve had some physical pain, but that’s not what I’m talking about. I’ve been struggling with insecurity, doubt and I’m ashamed to say a small dose of anger and jealousy. Some of the responsibilities that I’ve really enjoyed doing and have taken care of at work for the past 3 years have been assigned to someone else.
I read through Exodus 35 one day last week in my devotions. I recall when I read it that it was going to be important to me in some way. In Exodus 35, Moses communicates to the Israelites what the Lord has commanded. He asked two things of them. The first was for “those with generous hearts” to bring an offering of the finest materials that were needed to build and prepare the tabernacle. Secondly, those who are skilled among the Israelites were to come forward and construct the tabernacle.
In Moses’ list of what was to be given in a sacred offering to the Lord were items that were of great value. There was valuable metals including gold, silver and bronze. Also included were specially dyed threads, linens and animal skins. The extensive list went on. These weren’t easy things to give for they were of great value to their owners. The same can be said of what I’m experiencing. For Habitué to grow and prosper, I am called to surrender some responsibilities that I find valuable and enjoyable. When I say surrender, it’s not with an “Oh well, I guess I’ll give it to you” mentality. In verse 5, Moses says, “Let those with generous hearts present the following gifts to the Lord.” (emphasis mine.) I’ve had to question myself these past couple of days, did I truly have a generous heart during this process of transition? Or did I allow those brief moments of jealousy and doubt control my heart?
Verse 21 is the scripture that the Holy Spirit put on my heart at 4:45 this morning, the moment my eyes opened. It reads, “and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them came and brought an offering to the Lord…” (again, emphasis mine.)
Everyone who was willing.
I’ve been searching my heart and asking the Holy Spirit to reveal the dark crevices that hide anger, insecurity, etc… Was I truly willing to surrender those responsibilities? In the process God has shown me that I’m not handing these responsibilities to another person. I’m surrendering them to God. I’m giving them to Him knowing whole-heartedly He will do a great work through this other person.
The second part of Moses’ call to the Israelites was for those who were gifted craftsmen to put everything together. You wouldn’t want someone with no building experience to construct the tabernacle, would you? Even though I may be able to build a neat little birdhouse with some scrap wood I find lying around, that doesn’t mean I’m necessarily the one appointed to build a tabernacle. There are just some things others excel at more than we do. That’s okay, we need to use the talents we’ve been granted in a way that is honoring to the Lord. I’m accepting that this person has more experience and knowledge in this area. They better qualified and suited to handle the responsibilities needed to excel. I’m confident that God will do great things with someone else taking these responsibilities.
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 reads: “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” When Paul wrote this to the church in Corinth, it was directed in how they would come alongside others in their service to the Lord. When I read verses 1-5, it could easily be read as a financial sacrifice. That is something we often do as believers, but read it as if God were asking you to give up your vacation to go serve in a shelter for a week, or to let go of doing something you really enjoy like I was. It’s not always easy. I’ll be honest. I shed some tears at my desk. But when I examine my heart through this process I know that I’m letting go with a cheerful heart and growing in the process.
I haven’t just surrendered just those responsibilities to the Lord, though. I’ve also had to give Him the doubt, insecurity, anger and jealousy that have tried to gain a foothold. I trust that those feelings will be smoothed out by a gentle Holy Spirit who comforts when we’re hurting. (He’s already started the process.)
Here’s possibly the most beautiful part of this piece of Exodus to me this morning. Starting in verse 20 it reads:
“Then the whole Israelite community withdrew from Moses’ presence, 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. 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.”
There’s a lot more to the list of what the Israelites brought, but it says that the whole community gave because they were willing and their hearts were moved. They gave because they knew how important their giving was to the Lord. Because of their sacrificial giving, the tabernacle was built. They came together as a body, gave and worked together and did an amazing thing together with God’s help. What about us? What amazing and incredible things could we do if we all came together, surrendered what God asked of us and worked as the Israelites did with willing hearts, ready to let go of anything we’re called to let go of?
Father God, it’s difficult to let go of something we love to do. It’s not easy to let go and say goodbye to something we cherish. Father, I ask that as we continue to surrender to You that we would be yoked together, not only with each other, but ultimately to You, our Savior. Father God, continue to work in us.
