I love Three Kings Day!  While I have a list full of tasks I need to get done, I couldn’t end this day without a post about the Wise Men.  I’ve been thinking about those guys for years!  It’s become one of my favorite parts of the Bible, the retelling of the wise men’s visit to the baby Jesus.     

This post though, began with a conversation with some ladies about our church.  We were talking about what we could do to better serve God, the women of our church and the community.   As we talked I was excited about the possibilities!  It wasn’t because of what our little group could do, but because of the wise men.  You see, I always think about the gifts that God gives to the church when I think about the wise men.  

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Who were these men?  They have been called kings, wise men or magi, and how you refer to them may depend on your own cultural background. What I do know is  that they were blessed with wealth and knowledge, and they used them both.  They knew the prophecy and when they saw the star, they traveled with gifts to honor a king.  Whether they realized it or not, God used these men as a conduit to care for the needs of Jesus and his earthly family.  Who knew that some gold would come in handy when you’re fleeing in the opposite direction of your home to a foreign country?   Well God did!  

What does the new year hold for our church and community?  While we don’t know, we can be confident that God does!  I believe that just like He provided for Joseph, Mary and Jesus, He’s provided for the work He’s already planned.  

As I was thinking about the wise men, I was also reminded of a man named Bezalel.  So when God wanted to have a place to be in the midst of His people, He told Moses to make a tabernacle.  This wasn’t just any old tent though, the specifications were precise and everything about it was spelled out to Moses by God.  

“You shall make an altar on which to burn incense; you shall make it of acacia wood. A cubit shall be its length, and a cubit its breadth. It shall be square, and two cubits shall be its height. Its horns shall be of one piece with it.  You shall overlay it with pure gold, its top and around its sides and its horns. And you shall make a molding of gold around it.  And you shall make two golden rings for it. Under its molding on two opposite sides of it you shall make them, and they shall be holders for poles with which to carry it. You shall make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold.  And you shall put it in front of the veil that is above the ark of the testimony, in front of the mercy seat that is above the testimony, where I will meet with you.”  Exodus 30:1-6

This was just for an altar!  God specified the way to build each aspect of the tabernacle, all the way down to the priests undergarments!  What makes us think that His plans for our new year are any different?  I wonder if Moses started freaking out a little when he realized all the work, craftsmanship and skill that would go into this space?  This is where God reassures Moses that he’s already taken care of that.

 The Lord said to Moses, “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft. And behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. And I have given to all able men ability, that they may make all that I have commanded you: the tent of meeting, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is on it, and all the furnishings of the tent,  the table and its utensils, and the pure lampstand with all its utensils, and the altar of incense,  and the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the basin and its stand, and the finely worked garments, the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments of his sons, for their service as priests,  and the anointing oil and the fragrant incense for the Holy Place. According to all that I have commanded you, they shall do.”    Exodus 31:1-11

God had gifted this man to lead, and others to do the work He’d already planned.  We’re each given gifts, blessings or abilities that when used, we bring glory to God in the congregation and the community.   

“Let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

 I think of the gifts He has given me, and how I am using them.  Or at times, not using them.   I also think of the church and how the gifts people have been given show up every day on campus and in the community.  I always wonder though, what gifts are still there yet unused?  How do we ignite the church and empower each of  us to use all the gifts God has provided?  

My prayer is that we would all ask the ourselves a simple question.  What experiences, abilities, blessings  has God given me that combined with the Holy Spirit will equal the good deeds God’s already planned for His glory?  By God’s grace may we all find our answer.