Gifts

I have to admit, the books of Exodus and Leviticus in the Bible can have me tearing my hair out. I either come away with impertinent questions for God (Why did you choose such harsh punishments for certain sins?), or a total sense of conviction when realizing my own faithfulness can be as fickle as that of the Israelites.

But a portion of Exodus hits home for me as a writer. As God gives precise instruction about the building of the tabernacle, He tells Moses He filled Bezalel “with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of craft…I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you.”*

Wow! To know that God chose the people He wanted to have create something important to Him and gave them the ability to do so…

When He gives us certain gifts, He does it for a reason. Author Sharlene MacLaren put it so well when encouraging other writers, “God doesn’t just hand us a gift and say, ‘Here, this is for your pleasure alone. Don’t share it.’ No, His gifts are given with strict instructions to go out and USE them for His honor and glory. Go into all the world and preach the Gospel, and, in our case, WRITE it!”

It’s easy to dance around with excitement when something I’ve written appears in print. It’s also easy to be downhearted when something I’ve written is rejected. Through the ups and downs of being a writer, I need to remember one thing: God gave me the ability to put words on paper that point to Him, that glorify Him. I have the privilege of doing something I enjoy and carrying out the Great Commission at the same time, or ministering to someone who can benefit from what they read. How awesome is that?

Speaking of giving Him the glory…

Last week I received my author copies of the children’s book, Family Ties. It’s a collection of short stories that includes mine entitled, “Get A Clue”—something to dance about—and can be ordered through amazon.com.

Even if you’re not a writer, God has given you a gift, a talent, that will enable you to minister to others in a special way. Figure out what it is, use it, and give Him the glory!

Now, where do your talents lie?

By the way, don’t miss reading Sharlene MacLaren’s series, The Daughters of Jacob Kane (Hannah Grace, Maggie Rose, and the latest, Abbie Ann).  See Sharlene’s website for more titles.

*Exodus 31:1-6 and repeated at the end of Chapter 35 and the first part of 36 (NIV)