When the ‘why’ is clear, the ‘what’ becomes a privilege and a joy.
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Scripture
Exodus 25:1-9
1 The LORD said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution. From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me. 3 And this is the contribution that you shall receive from them: gold, silver, and bronze, 4 blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, goats’ hair, 5 tanned rams’ skins, goatskins, acacia wood, 6 oil for the lamps, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, 7 onyx stones, and stones for setting, for the ephod and for the breastpiece. 8 And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst. 9 Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it.
Observation
God told Moses to receive a contribution from the people of precious metals, costly textiles, oils, and gemstones. The contributions weren’t to be coerced from every member of the community, but rather it was to be ‘received’ from those whose heart was moved to give. Then God went on to paint a beautiful mental image for Moses of the purpose for which these contributions were to be used. God supplied the vision and purpose, and gave to Moses the responsibility of sharing that vision with those who were called to help fulfill it.
Application
“Why, dad?” This phrase gets repeated nonstop each day at our house. “Why dad? Why is the sky blue? Why do I have to make my bed? Why is it important to eat vegetables? Why can’t I spend all afternoon playing Minecraft?”
The question ‘why’ is one that every person asks. There is something in us which needs to see the big picture, and to understand the outcome to which our work is leading.
In the Kingdom of God, we have a glorious future and outcome toward which we are laboring. The vision that God has given paints a picture of lives knit together in community, bound by love, submitted to the King, being daily perfected by His Spirit, helping each other on the journey, and someday culminating in our arrival into our eternal home that He has prepared for each of us. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?!
I can’t fulfill the King’s purpose if I merely tell people ‘what’: Instead, I must learn to communicate the ‘why’ in such a way that their heart is moved to respond and join in the mission. When the ‘why’ is clear, the ‘what’ becomes a privilege and a joy.
This week, I choose to center my own heart on the ‘why’, and point others to the ‘why’ that God has given us.
Prayer
God, thank you for the promises of your word, and for the amazing future you have in store for each of your children! Help me never to get so focused on the ‘what’, that I forget the ‘why’. Help me to effectively communicate the vision of your Kingdom this week in such a way that hearts are set on fire, lives are empowered, and dreams are released for your glory. You are amazing, and you are good!
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