This week's Bible Study - August 9, 2009
Have You Found Your Place?
 Quote of the Week:
“A ship is safe in harbor, but that's not what ships are for.”
-- William Shedd
This lesson continues the theme of finding and following God's will. In the previous lesson, we learned the importance of seeing the big picture. Most people won't start a puzzle without at least some recognition of the picture on the box, but many believers will just set forth trying to live in a way that 'seems' right, rather than what God has called them to. We learned that God has called us to be set apart from the world in the way we live. If you work with unbelievers, it should follow that there is a difference between you and them. Can they see that difference?
However, finding and following God's will goes beyond just the avoidance of certain types of behavior and the acceptance of other types of behavior. We need to realize that God has created each of us with a purpose. You can go to a hardware store, like Home Depot, and you can find a wide variety of tools. Each of them has a specific purpose - some have more than one purpose in mind, but they are designed to be used in a specific manner. You can choose any tool that has a specific purpose - i.e. a screwdriver. There are different sizes for different situations, and you could potentially use a screwdriver for other purposes as well. They don't make good hammers, but I've seen people use them as such. In many ways, we are like tools. Do you know your purpose?
There are other tools that are seldom, if ever used. I am sure that some people purchase tools, with the best of intentions, but they stay in their original package or are placed in a toolbox or a shelf; never to be touched again. It makes me think of the Christmas show, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer - and the island of misfit toys. It would seem that some believers have placed themselves on that island. Rather than identifying how God has gifted them and being useful, they have voluntarily placed themselves off to the side. They may go to church every week, but they are far from fulfilling any purpose.
Surely, this is one of the more familiar and beloved passages in Scripture, right? As new parents are deciding potential names for their children, perhaps they should consider these. The two primary characters (not including their lineage) are Bezalel and Oholiab. If you travel to a store that has names on keychains, license plates or other nicknacks, you are sure to find these, right?
When you think of who God used in the book of Exodus, generally these names are left off the list. When we read Scripture, we often focus on a few key people. We do Bible Studies and assume that we should be like Moses or Aaron or David or Solomon or Paul or one of the disciples, or the church leaders or missionaries or so on and so forth. Although God's hands were on these people, their success was also dependent on the support of many others. God uses people to fulfill tasks, however small, to achieve his purposes.
In this passage, we learn that Bezalel was a godly man. God had given him the skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts to make artistic designs. He was a very talented sculptor and it was a God given talent. We think of God giving talents, but they are often limited to what we see as 'godly'. The arts in general and sculpting, more specifically, can allow people to sense God's presence and to appreciate life. Of course, there are many types of arts and we see all types of sculptures. My daughter and her boyfriend have been keeping a 'metalman' photo album on facebook. They take pictures with statues whenever they see them. Some of the statues are very impressive and others are less so.
God had blessed Bezalel, along with Oholiab, with the ability to work in all sorts of artistic crafts and to teach others. These men were to use their skills to help bring others along who were craftsmen, designers, embroiders in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers. God had a specific purpose in mind for these men. Their gifts may not have seemed to be line with normal ministry opportunities, but God was able to use what they could do.
In this passage from Jeremiah, the Lord made it clear that each of us is born with a purpose in mind. God knew us and set us apart before we were even formed in the womb. This clearly states that each of us is special, from the time of conception to the end of our lives (and beyond). Jeremiah was set apart and appointed as a prophet to the nations. You would think that he would just accept that and move forward, but Jeremiah had misgivings, as we often do.
He approached the Lord out of respect and said that he did not know how to speak, because he was only a child. Have you found yourself saying similar things to God, when he has led you to a specific task? We hear, but we respond with 'but'. I can't do anything ministry related, because of my past. I can't help with the choir, because I can't really sing. I can't help with the nursery, because I am not that good with babies and toddlers. I can't teach a class, because I don't have the necessary background or the time or perhaps I am uncomfortable in front of other people. We are often better at coming up with excuses than we are in making something happen.
The Lord responded to Jeremiah that he must not merely consider himself as a child. He was to go to everyone that God sent him and to say whatever he was commanded to say. Jeremiah got a pretty detailed description of what he was supposed to do, right? Go to who I tell you and say what I tell you to say. It seems fairly vague. God didn't want Jeremiah for a task, but he wanted Jeremiah. God told Jeremiah to not be afraid of those he spoke to, because God would be with him and would rescue him.
One of the things I greatly admire about some Biblical characters is that they truly followed God, wherever. Abraham went when God said go. Jeremiah was told to be willing to tell whoever, wherever and whenever. Often, we want the full scoop. Think of your own situation; are there things that you are hedging on doing because you don't fully have the full picture? I know some people like to have a detailed plan laid out for the next several weeks, months or years, before they act today. We need to listen to what God says about today and then follow that.
As we teach or encourage one another with all wisdom, and as we sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in our heart to God, we are to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly. The person who does these things is already letting the word of Christ dwell in them, right? Actually it is very easy for people to go through the motions, even in doing very spiritual things. These can become tasks, just like anything else in life that can be devoid of anything spiritual really. You can see people at church every week that seem to be there because they are 'supposed' to be there. Unfortunately, sometimes you can see that person in your mirror before you even leave the house.
The non church related activities are brought out in verses 17. In whatever you do, whether in work or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. What have you done in the past couple of weeks? Being that this is written in the summer, there are many people that have been on vacations. Others are involved in outdoor sports. Some are taking summer classes. Some have been working every day. In your activities, have you done this in the name of the Lord Jesus? This would probably be a good motto for each of us to have. Are we truly thinking of how everything we do is for the glory of God?
Closing
What part of your life does God want to use? Does everything have to be spiritual? If you sing, must it be only praise and worship songs? If you teach, must it only be the Bible? If you paint, must it only be paintings of Christ? Over the years, I have seen how God uses all sorts of abilities to spread his word, often in seemingly unconventional ways. We just need to be willing to allow God to use whatever we have, and we can see him move in our lives.
When we stop and think about our lives, we may be able to realize that God has gifted us in some manner. Are we willing to submit to God's leadership in how we use those gifts, or do we want to name our own constraints on the usage? God wants to use your abilities, but truly what he really wants is you. He created you and had you set apart for a lifelong purpose. He wants access to what you have, whenever he asks for it.
The key is to realize that everything you do is an opportunity to honor our Lord and Savior. Realize that all of your daily activities matter. Don't segregate your life as to what matters to God and what doesn't. As you open your entire life open to God, you'll find yourself in the place that God wants you to be.
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