November brings a time change.  Not just the lamented ritual of ‘falling back,’ but the festive ritual of rushing headlong toward Christmas. The holidays accelerate time.  In less than a month we will give thanks, erect greenery, string lights, and work hard to fulfill all seasonal righteousness.   Parties, concerts, family gatherings, travel – planning the calendar is like playing Tetris.  And before the tryptophan rush of a Thanksgiving turkey wears off, the stopwatch of Christmas gift-giving will begin in the predawn darkness of Black Friday.

Perhaps gift-giving is the most stressful dimension of the season.  The ladies we love seek the most apt gifts.   And the calculus of aptness is complex.   But for men, gift-giving can be remarkably uncomplicated.   Ever oriented to the task, men naturally assume the best gifts are either equipment for the daily grind or the capacity to acquire equipment for the daily grind.  

Tools and gift-cards make perfect sense.   Whatever the vocation – books, tools, tech, armaments, clothing or a Duluth Trading card are right in the wheelhouse.  No calculus needed.   Such is the simplicity of mans-giving.  Sure, we love our creature comforts: pipe-smoke candles, manly coffee, compact flashlights and those little scented balls we drop in our gym bags.  But for men, the best gifts are often those that equip and advance our vocation.

We take our cue from the gift-giving strategy of our Heavenly Father.  The Bible describes God as the ultimate gift-giver.  We read in James, “[e]very good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” And in Romans, “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?”

But what are these good and perfect gifts?  The ‘all things’ He gives?   Of course, this speaks of provision, care, mercy, and eternal life.  But the agency of all these gifts is the gift of His Son, mediated to us through the indwelling presence and empowering work of the Holy Spirit.   Jesus promised his disciples that his Father would pour out on them the Spirit of life and power.  Of all the gifts he gives, the Holy Spirit is the first and best.  Jesus emphasized this while teaching his disciples about prayer.

What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Luke 11:11-13

God’s call to life in Christ begins with the work of the Spirit. The Spirit gives us the faith to hear God’s call and then everything else we need to believe, follow, grow, and serve.   The Spirit equips us to take our place in the body of Christ.  And every believer is an indispensable part.   There are no spare parts, no ‘bench-riders.’   Our gifts and graces are given to be used, not placed in a display case or saved for a rainy day.

Exodus 31 illustrates this beautifully.  As God concludes the giving of the Law to Moses on Mount Sinai, all the artistry required for the Tabernacle has been explained.  Moses may have been overwhelmed.  But graciously, God appoints Spirit-filled artists to bring his design into being.   Every person in the community has a role.  Some provide the materials, contributing either what they possess or produce.   Yarns are spun, oil is refined, flour is beaten.  Gold, silver, bronze, linen, acacia wood, and dugong hides are stockpiled.  But God provided spirit-filled artists to complete the work.

For this, God

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. 

Exodus 31:2-6

God could have provided the Tabernacle without assistance.  But God delights to involve his people in his work and his worship.  And he gives the Holy Spirit to ensure everything can and will be done according to all he commanded.   Exodus 31 pictures this truth beautifully, a truth still operative in the Church.   God calls us and equips us to know him, love him, and serve him.  He gives gifts and graces.  And we are expected to exercise them for his glory of God and the Church’s good.  God called Bezalel by name.  He had no stunt-double or stand-in.  Bezalel was indispensable.  The exercise of his gifts was indispensable.

What are your spiritual gifts and graces?   Are you exercising them for God’s glory and the Church’s good?  Do you believe you are indispensable?  And act like it?   Join us as we examine Exodus 31 and consider the gifts and graces God gives as he calls us to live life together in Christ. We meet on the square in Pottsville, right next to historic Potts’ Inn at 10:30 am for worship.  Get directions here or contact us for more info.  Or join us on Facebook Live @PottsvilleARP or YouTube.