“And to all who have an aptitude for crafts I’ve given the skills to make all the things I’ve commanded you…” Exodus 31:6b MSG

You all know me as “Jessica, the Connect Devotional writer,” but I’m also, “Jessica, Chatham Church Admin.” It’s a role I’d broadly describe as “keeper of the details,” and at the risk of tooting my own horn, it’s one in which I really shine. (Toot, toot!) :) Bringing order to chaos is my specialty, whether that be a messy storage space or raw data in spreadsheet form, and it requires certain levels of creativity.

But “creativity” makes us think of artists, doesn’t it? The ones who paint portraits and murals, form statues and pottery, write poetry and sing songs–everyone who dreams beautiful things and brings them to life for the rest of us to enjoy. Exodus 31 describes these kinds of artisans (v1). God chose Bezalel and Oholiab to build the Tabernacle, and He equipped them with the skills they’d need to get the job done.

He says this: “And to all who have an aptitude for crafts I’ve given skills to make all the things I’ve commanded you…” (v6b)

Do you consider yourself to be “creative?” I’m the last person you’d want to commission to create an original piece of artwork, but if you need the church’s attendance data tracked and analyzed or the scheduling of our church spaces managed…I’m your girl!

Everyone has a “craft.” Maybe you’re an artist in the traditional sense, or maybe your craft is fixing an appliance, roofing a house, or rewiring an electrical outlet. My husband would probably never put himself in the same category as a traditional artist, but he is excellent at encouraging plants to grow. I know folks who have the undeniable talent of making their spaces welcoming and beautiful, others who are gifted in the kitchen, and still others who easily organize groups of people and motivate them to action. God likes, values, and uses human creativity in all of its forms–it’s one way we can Soar with Him! 

Thank Him today for the skills He’s given you, and think about how you can put them to work for His glory. If you’re one who wouldn’t consider yourself creative at all, ask Him to bring to mind the skills He’s equipped you with.