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Ecclesiastes 9:10a – Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. (NIV)
In addition to quilting, I've also enjoyed trying a variety of crafts. Some become part of my hobbies, others are never tried again. The other day, I was feeling guilty about the time that I spend on these craft activities, until I started thinking about the numerous ways that God gifts people. A few days later, I found this Scripture:
Exodus 31:5 — He is skilled in engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood. He is a master at every craft! (NLT)
"A master at every craft" as a commendation from God in His Word — that seemed like a blessing from God to use the gifts and interests that He has given me! In Exodus, these skills were used to build the tabernacle. I use mine for gifts to friends and a variety of charities.
Other Scriptures confirm this:
- Exodus 35:35 – He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work … all of them master craftsmen and designers. (NIV)
- 1 Chronicles 28:21a – The divisions of the priests and Levites are ready for all the work on the temple of God, and every willing man skilled in any craft will help you in all the work. (NIV)
- 1 Thessalonians 4:11 – Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands. (NIV)
I love that admonition to mind your own business — easier to do when my hands are busy with a craft or quilt project!
This use of craftsmen for the Lord's work has continued throughout history. Think of the marvellous cathedrals built in Europe with their carvings and stained-glass windows, or the paintings produced by the great masters, such as Da Vinci's The Last Supper. And how about the wonderful music produced through the ages that we still enjoy today, like my all-time favourite, The Messiah?
I've been privileged to visit Europe. Each visit leaves me in awe of those ancient craftsmen who used their God-given talents to create buildings, some of which took dozens of years to complete, without any of the modern-day tools that we so enjoy. They may not have considered themselves artists, but each brick, each marble column, each carefully carved block in the wall is a testament to the creative skill that God gave them.
Recently, I heard a speaker refer to Jesus as the Master Craftsman, always ready to give our lives a new design. What a marvellous thought! We can each create artistic designs in a variety of ways using talents that God gave us. In the same way, God can work on us to create a new and wonderful design. All we have to do is let Him.
Prayer: Lord, help us to use the talents that You have given us to glorify You and to serve others in whatever way we can. We want to bless those around us, while You work in our own lives to make us into beautiful examples of Your love and power. Amen.
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Saturday, May 18, 2024 – In North Africa — Living in North Africa we get so used to hearing the call to prayer it becomes like background noise and sometimes I don't hear it anymore. I am challenged by the fact that some Muslims are so committed to pray that they go to the mosque 5 times a day. Would you consider, with me, setting your alarm to go off at 3:00 every day and pray for these three things: 5 families to come to know Christ, 3 people for us to read scripture with,1 new church plant.
Housing: "Update May 16, 2024: Please continue to pray for T and her son A to find a different apartment...." 
May it be so, Sharon.
Thanks for a good word Sharon.
Thanks Sharon for sharing this devotional with us. Blessings.
I have forwarded your writing to my church’s quilting group. They will enjoy it as much as I have. Thank you.
Lovely devotion today Sharon. Thanks for sharing.
Blessings on your day today!
(Ontario)
Sharon,
A deep and thoughtful look at the gifts God gives us. He always has a purpose in mind. As our children make their own way in this world, we retire and age – we change. Amazingly, we can find that a skill long forgotten comes to surface, just in time to use for a new purpose God has in mind for us.
And also, Jesus was a carpenter.
I strongly believe gifts were given for a reason.
At the moment some of the gifts I have been given that were used in the church, now I am not in a church where I ca use them, but I also believe it is the church where God has sent, me.
This is troubling. But I do believe that God will open the door when the time is right.
Thanks for sharing! Yes, He will. I use some of my gifts in non-church, but faith-based, organizations.
Dear Sharon, This was a very good devotional! It helped to rid me of any “crafters” guilt I may have had, in thinking my small time-consuming creative acts of kindness were not that important. Bless you for writing about this, and reminding us that to God, what we do is very important and does matter.
Hi Sharon. I just read a quote from Benjamin Franklin that said “What’s a sundial in the shade?” And I remembered your devotional.
I guess we could say, don’t hide your light under a bushel basket. We’ve all been given different talents but some think they’re so unimportant that they shrug them off and waste them, by not using them for others. My sister-in-law makes the tiniest little paper fans to stick on Christmas presents. She doesn’t realize how much pleasure they give, and wonders that I actually keep them. For absolutely no reason except that they make me smile! And if it’s still in good shape next year, I pass it on. She gave me instructions once and I couldn’t do it for the life of me!
People often think of crafts as just a time-waster, but God will give us the opportunity to use them if we ask. Sometimes we don’t realize what we might be good at until we try it. And the opportunity comes late in life. What a lovely surprise! We could have a wonderful talent just waiting to blossom.
I enjoy your writing, Sharon. Thank you. Keep it up!