What a privilege it is to have God’s word so readily available. There are places in the world, even today, where the Bible is not accessible. To be caught with a copy could mean imprisonment, torture, or even death. By God’s grace, at this point those who reside in the West generally have access to God’s word in various formats and translations.

As I work through the New Testament one chapter a day on average, and use the same schedule for the Old Testament, it’s common to come across verses that bring great encouragement. An example can be found in the book of Exodus.

In Exodus chapter 25 great detail is given by God to Moses concerning how to build the Ark of the Covenant, the Golden Lampstand, etc. God shares intricate details that would take incredible skill to accomplish. When I read this, I wrote in the margin of my Bible something along the lines of, “Principle: When the Lord wants something done that takes great skill, he must give someone the ability to accomplish it.”

As I read on through the following chapters in the days to come, more intricate details were given. Finally, I came to Chapter 31. In Exodus 31:2-6 God says to Moses:

See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills – to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you.

This was very encouraging to me. It made me think about what the Lord has asked me to do with my life and how he has given me the skills and experience to accomplish this. It also made me wonder what other skills he has given me that can be used for him. As I think about friends and co-workers, I can see ways in which God has gifted and sharpened them to accomplish amazing things.

There’s few things in life that give as much satisfaction as knowing the purpose for which God created us, and knowing that we are walking in that path. This gives a degree of purpose and meaning to life that those who don’t know God cannot understand.

Walking in God’s path and fulfilling his purposes takes many forms. It doesn’t matter what your occupation or profession may be. In just about every walk of life there are many opportunities to love God and to love people. Walking through life with the Word of God as our guide and living out the Fruit of the Spirit makes Christ followers very different than other people. As others notice this and ask what makes us the way we are, we have the opportunity to share what God has done in our lives and the joy that comes from knowing God and how he would have us live.

It’s amazing to me how one small passage like this buried deep within the book of Exodus can be so encouraging. May God lead and guide us all to find the ways he has uniquely created and gifted us to accomplish his purposes, and may we find great joy in faithfully loving and serving God and others. Amen!