Exodus 36:2 Then Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the LORD had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work.

This whole story is a beautiful example of good stewardship of God’s provision, both in material supplies and in abilities. At least three things are operative in this particular verse. In the first place, Moses was exercising the leadership position and authority he had been given. In the second place, Bezalel and Oholiab and the others were acknowledging that God had given them ability, and work to do with that ability. In the third place, God had moved their hearts so that they wanted to do that work. When those three things fall into place, magnificent things get accomplished! These three factors are greatly to be desired in churches today, and problems arise when any one of them is missing. Much has been written in books on leadership about “projecting the vision,” but that by itself is insufficient: there have to be people with ability who catch and own that vision. People with ability, if unchallenged and unmotivated, can be just as unproductive as anyone else. And no amount of potential, in leadership or anything else, accomplishes much if people’s hearts aren’t moved. It is common for individuals or organizations to focus on one or two of these without a balanced approach, and a great deal of time, effort, and resources are wasted in the process. The first thing that is called for is wisdom from God, and that comes only with humble, grateful submission to Him.

I’m certainly preaching to myself here! I have made mistakes in each of these areas, and the church has suffered for them. I have operated in my own wisdom, what seemed right to me, instead of getting on my face before God to ask Him what needed to be done and my part in that. The good news is that in God’s economy, it’s never too late to change. Right now He has me in a time of teaching the believers that they really are gifted, whatever they have thought in the past. That needs to be coupled with the whole church grasping the vision of a genuinely Christian society, founded on a critical mass of genuine disciples of Jesus Christ. And all of that needs to be inspired and empowered by the Holy Spirit, moving in me and in each believer. When that happens, God’s glory will be manifested.

Father, I don’t have words to thank You sufficiently for this Word to me this morning. You have given me a glimpse, not only of what You are doing here but how You are doing it, and I am deeply grateful. Help me be faithful in following through with my part in Your plan, so that nothing will be able to stand in the way of what You are doing for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!