At this present time my thoughts are going wild! Every scripture I read on wisdom sends me in so many directions seeking the truth of that word. Of course it makes sense, since wisdom is found in seeking that one would go a seekin’. And so I have been and God is so faithful to give as He said He would in the book of James, to all who ask.
But seeking and then finding wisdom will most assuredly require an action. That’s when the rubber meets the road and we’re going places.
The Heart of Wisdom is Willing
Exodus 35:1-35 KJVS
[1] And Moses gathered all the congregation of the children of Israel together, and said unto them, These are the words which the Lord hath commanded, that ye should do them. [2] Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the Lord : whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death. [3] Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the sabbath day. [4] And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the Lord commanded, saying, [5] Take ye from among you an offering unto the Lord : whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the Lord ; gold, and silver, and brass,
I wrote a new song recently and it has become a fave when I sing at the Long Term Care on Monday’s. It’s called “You Know Where I’ll Be.” And that will be at church on Sunday morning. It’s a priority in my life. It’s one of the big rocks!
The Pastor spoke last Sunday and used the illustration of the rocks in the jar.
A teacher once stood before his students with a jar full of large rocks. He asked the students if the jar was full? To which they replied, it was. He then took a hand full of small pebbles and added them to the jar, shaking them so they’d disperse around the larger stones. He asked again, “Is it full.” To which they replied. “Yes.” He then took a cup of sand and poured it into the jar and it quickly filled the remaining spaces. He asked again, is it full? “Oh yes!” They replied. Certain that that was the final filling. But then the teacher took a cup of water and slowly poured it into the jar, where it flowed around the sand and rocks and topped the jar off completely. “Now the jar is full!” the teacher exclaimed.
The illustration as he explains it to his class goes to show that once we have the big things in our life in place, like the large stones, the other things in our life will fall into place so long as we have them in order. We have to prioritize what goes into our lives, just like we had to put the largest stones in the jar first, then the pebbles, the sand and the water last. If we had reversed the order by putting the water in first and filling the jar, it would have overflowed and caused a mess.
Prioritizing our life is the same way.
This morning I almost made a mess of my day. I have things that need done at the office and I was going to forgo this time to get started there. But as I began to read and write, it was clear I needed the preacher’s message again.
God first… then all else will fall into place. Family. Purpose. Life.
Check.
Thank You Lord.
That sounds so simple. But that wisdom comes from the willing heart that Moses spoke to the children of Israel about. He was preparing them to go into the promised land. A land that was full of all the things they’d not had for 40 years. It would be like me receiving the newest version of Apple technology. I’m always overwhelmed with it’s goodness and it occupies my mind and time for days and days. Imagine going from he wilderness into a land filled with all the goodness of God. I’m sure they didn’t know what adventure to go on next! But Moses was reminding them… “God first.” And it was serious business. They put to death those who didn’t take it serious.
That sounds so harsh. It should certainly make us appreciate the grace of today. But instead, in our land flowing with milk, honey and grace; the world has turned aside to seek earthly pleasures rather than Heavenly promises. And Sunday mornings are made for sleeping in and going on outings for most families and church is no where on their radar.
I’m so grateful that upon salvation in 1996, God put a desire in my heart to be in the Lord’s house at every opportunity. Not just Sunday. Any day there’s something going on, I want to be there and I’m elated to be! Sunday church should be a big rock. But not Sunday only for seeking the wisdom of God… every day some of those stones should be the Lord. That takes a willing heart, and an open heart. Ready to hear the word of God.
This morning I really wanted to get to work as soon as I got up. But I’m so glad, with the coercing of the Holy Spirit, that I slowed down. Put the big rock of God in first and now I can begin filling my day with the pebbles… sand… water.
Yes. The heart of wisdom has to be willing to listen.
Part 2:
The Heart of Wisdom is Ready
EXODUS 35:10-20
And every wise hearted among you shall come, and make all that the Lord hath commanded; [11] The tabernacle, his tent, and his covering, his taches, and his boards, his bars, his pillars, and his sockets, [12] The ark, and the staves thereof, with the mercy seat, and the vail of the covering, [13] The table, and his staves, and all his vessels, and the shewbread, [14] The candlestick also for the light, and his furniture, and his lamps, with the oil for the light, [15] And the incense altar, and his staves, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the door at the entering in of the tabernacle, [16] The altar of burnt offering, with his brasen grate, his staves, and all his vessels, the laver and his foot, [17] The hangings of the court, his pillars, and their sockets, and the hanging for the door of the court, [18] The pins of the tabernacle, and the pins of the court, and their cords, [19] The cloths of service, to do service in the holy place, the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest’s office. [20] And all the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses.
They didn’t depart from his presence to go play Nintendo. They departed from his presence to get it done! Moses had laid out the instructions for what was necessary to construct the parts and pieces of the tabernacle. But today, we are not building a tabernacles of earthly hands, but rather we are building the Kingdom of God. And the plan is still the same. Although we never leave His presence, because He is always with the child of God. The plan for us is, to get it done through sharing the word of God and the wisdom that He has instilled in us.
What fascinates me most about the children of Israel in this text, is they didn’t question Moses’ leadership. He spoke it, they did it. So my next question is, what are we doing with the wisdom that’s being imparted to us through church leadership today. When you depart from the presence of the Pastor on Sunday morning, hopefully Sunday night and Wednesday; what are you doing with that wisdom.
The illustration of the jar is one I’ve heard multiple times. It always stirs me up, because it’s a true illustration. But the illustration’s purpose stops if I don’t take it and apply it to my life. It’s not enough to just prioritize our lives. We then have to go out and get busy doing what God’s called us to do.
Perhaps the children of Israel departed from Moses and spent a little time reflecting on what part of the tabernacle was there’s to build.
People look at my talents (for which they are many) but I always say I’m the jack of all trades, but the master of none, although that may be disrespecting the Lord’s gifts. It’s not that I can’t master them, I just have always been so scattered among them, I don’t feel that I do any of them well.
For instance, last night I started taking Mandolin lessons. What!? Like who has time for that, right? Well, I guess I do. About ten years ago, a friend called me to say that he had bought me a new mandolin at the Lord’s leading. It’s either hung on my wall, or laid in its case since that time with me randomly strumming it every once and a while. I was willing, but not ready to put the time in to get it done. Let’s pray I’m there.
The same is true with our service to the Lord. We can say we’re willing, but if we’re not ready to put legs on those words it’s futile. Futile defines is “incapable of producing a useful result.” Ouch! That stings, does it not? Nobody want us fill as though they’re not useful. At least I hope not. We all want purpose. But purpose is useless unless it’s acted upon.
The Heart of Wisdom is Able
EXODUS 35:10-20
[21] And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the Lord’s offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments. [22] And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered offered an offering of gold unto the Lord. [23] And every man, with whom was found blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats’ hair, and red skins of rams, and badgers’ skins, brought them. [24] Every one that did offer an offering of silver and brass brought the Lord’s offering: and every man, with whom was found shittim wood for any work of the service, brought it. [25] And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen. [26] And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun goats’ hair.
Talent is often looked at as the ability to create music, art, construction, etc. But there are talents that go far beyond the realm of creativity. Talents I would love to have! Yes, I covet other peoples abilities the same way people covet mine. And I hope that doesn’t sound arrogant, because it’s not meant to be. But people look at my ability to do art and music and would love to have that skill (and many of them just haven’t discovered their own). And God’s purpose for their own.
One of the talents I was not necessarily gifted with was that of finance. If I was, I totally missed the memo. And yet, my new job is marketing and finance. My first thought was “are you kidding?” This is what I am the worst at. Not the marketing… but the finance. And yet I’m there. And so I’ve had to work very diligently at doing this job. And what I’ve discovered is, I kind of like it. Although I still don’t consider myself good at it. But it’s a new adventure. It’s me stepping outside of my comfort zone to try something new at the age of 57.
I also am working in my husband’s realm of expertise. A water company. So he and I have a new conversation going and all those years of my eyes glazing over when he told me stories about work, I’m now listening intently to try and glean from his wisdom. Because he’s very, very good at his job.
I said all that to say this. God gives people talent in a variety of ways and it often goes unnoticed. It perhaps is a secular job, that makes an abundance of money that will allow you to contribute to the ministry in multiple and needful ways. Perhaps it’s the ability take the things you already have and give them away. That’s what was happening in the day of Moses. They were shopping in their closets and beginning to learn more about the costs and fees to see what they could contribute.
We all know that there are things in our closets that we don’t use, but is there something there that could bless God? Right now I have a passel load of clothing that I need to get rid of. I could have a yard sale, but it’s a lot more fun to gather it together and give it to a like sized lady who could use some nice things for her wardrobe. Now, I just need to get that done.
Ability is just taking what we have and using it for the Lord’s work. Everything is a possibility. Love to cook? Make someone some bread. Love to sew? Make some small things to give to widows and widowers. Love to talk? Call someone lonely. Everyone has something to offer!
The Heart of Wisdom is Spirit Lead
[27] And the rulers brought onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate; [28] And spice, and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense. [29] The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the Lord, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the Lord had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses. [30] And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the Lord hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; [31] And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship; [32] And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, [33] And in the cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of wood, to make any manner of cunning work. [34] And he hath put in his heart that he may teach, both he, and Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. [35] Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work.
Bazaleel was not only able, but he was lead by the Spirit in how to use his talents for the Lord. It’s why I think when the children departed from Moses after his instructions, they pondered their abilities and the ways in which God would have them be used.
If you’ve followed me for long you know that I am notorious at leaping before any net appears. That’s what makes me fun, and that’s what makes me foolish more often than not. And it’s how God designed me. However, He didn’t want me to do that every day. That’s the foolish part. There comes a time when I need to ponder and pray about the direction of my day. Being Spirit lead is complex. It can mean just jumping and assuming that net is there. But it can also be assessing your abilities and praying about where God would have you use them.
I pray that as we move forward in the year of our Lord, 2020, that we allowing the Spirit’s leading in our direction. So here’s a few question to get you started:
- What gifts or talents do you have?
- What do you love to do?
- How are you using those things spiritually?
- Have you prayed about all that you have to offer?
Questions I need to ask myself.
I know this was a pretty lengthy study for a blog, but I pray that you found it useful in your search for wisdom 2020. And I pray that you’ll share it.