Has Your Heart Been Stirred?

Exodus 35:21-22 - Then everyone came whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing, and they brought the Lord’s offering for the work of the tabernacle of meeting, for all its service, and for the holy garments.  They came, both men and women, as many as had a willing heart, and brought earrings and nose rings, rings and necklaces, all jewelry of gold, that is, every man who made an offering of gold to the Lord. 

Moses began to tell the people all that God had told him on the mountain… how he had given him the blueprint and detailed building instructions for a place to worship him.  Each person…who had a willing heart…. was to begin by bringing the personal articles they possessed that were needed to begin the process of building it and offer it to God as an offering.  As they left Moses…the ones who were willing began to feel God stir their heart…and it prompted the first gifts of gold to begin the process.

That phrase…willing heart…is very important to God. He knew as soon as the people began to leave for their home… which ones were thinking about all they might give to God. They were excited about having a personal vestment in the building that would become God’s house…their place of worship.  God took that seed of excitement…and stirred it even stronger…..and they gave…and gave…and gave.

They did not just give ‘things.’ Some gave of their time.  Some spent hours of labor making curtains…. sewing garments….shaping wood and metal into tables and altars and lampstands.  Some rolled up their sleeves and did the hard work of assembly.  From rich to poor…each one that wanted too…had a part in helping God make the first Tabernacle.

Great things happen when God’s people shed the world’s cloak of selfishness. God starts to stir their heart…open their eyes to what he can do with a simple piece of gold….a single thread of scarlet … the wood from a tree… or the heart of one who gives it away to God. An ark is built to save the human race.  A rams is provided to replace the sacrifice of a son. Tabernacles are built by common ordinary people. Ministries are birthed to increase God’s kingdom.

Father…thank you for the reminder that whatever you have placed in my hand can be magnified into what you need to accomplish your perfect will on this earth.  Forgive me for the times that I let the world shadow my ability to see what you can do with the resources you have given me. Remove any trace of selfish nature from my heart…so that you can stir my heart into service for you.  Amen.