Spirit-Filled Work

“And (the Lord) has filled him (Bezalel) with the Spirit of God in skill, intelligence and knowledge to execute all craftwork.” Exodus 35:31

God called and enabled Bezalel, as well as others, to construct the Tabernacle which would represent God’s dwelling among His people as they wandered through the wilderness. I suspect, in God’s mind, this was the most important building project ever. The Tabernacle was not erected to honor a human king, as the pyramids, or a local deity. It was meant to be a meeting place for the Lord of All and His people. Everything about its construction, and every item in it all represented something about God’s character and how to approach Him.


God trusts the construction of such an important building to human hands. What trust He places in mere mortals to erect this sacred and evocative place of worship which would represent His very throne upon the earth. It is a time tested truth: whom God calls, He also enables.

Nothing illustrates that better than the Spirit of God filling Bezalel to accomplish the very thing God has called him to. The Holy Spirit was getting Himself involved in manual labor, so to speak. The Lord fills him with the Spirit, providing him with skill, intelligence and knowledge to accomplish this high task.

I do not think it is a stretch at all to think that God still fills people with His Holy Spirit to accomplish actual hands-on work. It is easy to think of Spirit-inspired people teaching, speaking or even writing. But this brief snapshot lets us know He is just as interested in enabling people to glorify God through talents that may not seem so, well, spiritual.

Moses preaches: that’s spiritual. But, we need to hire a contractor, or at least find one in our congregation, to put up the church building. Instead, we are reminded that God’s Spirit fills not only the pastor in the pulpit, but also the foreman with a hammer, or the designer at their sewing machine.

This shouldn’t surprise us, if we remember that we are all the result of God’s own “craftwork”. God didn’t just crank out human after human in some mass production factory. The story of Adam and Eve’s creation is full of personal and intimate care; the sort of relationship of an artist with his portrait, or a poet with her poem.

So, from installing toilets to wiring sound systems, from cooking meals for the homeless or writing music to stir hearts, each of us can rely upon the Holy Spirit to fill us, enhancing the inborn talents we already possess. I believe He does that when we are dedicated to using our gifts for His kingdom first.

The person who loves to cook, producing flavorful meals without hardly a thought, can be filled by God’s Spirit when entertaining God’s people, or inviting those who have less to eat with her. Those talented in the construction trade may find the Holy Spirit directing them to join an organization like Habitat for Humanity.

Those who follow Jesus should be looking for their latent gifts to blossom like daffodils in the Spring. Enabled by the Holy Spirit, we find renewed passion because we are being used for a purpose, and we find the joy of being a part of building God’s kingdom.

We should be looking to encourage each other in our gifts, even mentoring those who are just stepping out in various talents. The church should be the safest place in the world for young men and women to experiment in their chosen gifts.

What skill or ability do you possess that has been lying dormant? Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you and step out in faith. Who around you has obvious talent or skills? Invite them, encourage them with specific tasks where those abilities have a chance to shine. There is great joy, both in being used by God in our individual talent, and in helping someone else develop their skills aided by the Holy Spirit.