Heart and Skill
When I was in England last month, the thought came to me, “Is this the best use of God’s resources — including my time and talent?” Admittedly, I jumped into that project more excited about the chance to visit the UK than anything else. Was it really necessary for me to fly all that way?
As I’ve reflected on that experience and other things lately, God has helped me realize that it’s not so much about my technical skills but my heart. The fact is that any competent video professional could have done as well, or even better, in recording the audio and video. But what Dorman, his family, and I were engaged is was above all a spiritual endeavor. God didn’t send me there as a videographer working for a ministry; He sent me there to be a missionary committed to fulfilling the Great Commission. The Holy Spirit, dwelling in my heart and giving me drive and passion, was more important than the training or talent I brought to that tiny, ancient church.
Exodus 31:1-6 is a passage often referred to in the context of technical and creative ministry.
1Then the LORD said to Moses, 2“See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 3and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts 4to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 5to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship. 6Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you…
The Bible is often very particular in the order it lists things, and the first thing Bezalel received was the Holy Spirit! God chose Bezalel because He know his heart. Bezalel wasn’t just a good craftsman — he was committed to God’s purposes. Even if there were technically superior craftsmen among the tribe of Israel, Bezalel was called because he had the heart for the task. What Bezalel created was as much a result of his heart as his hands.
I sometimes describe myself as a digital renaissance man: there’s many different areas in the realm of digital media and internet technologies that I have God has given me both an interest and resonable level of competence. I say that humbly, because I don’t merit it — and I think denying one’s talent is as much an afront to God as being prideful about it. Yet nothing can come of it that doesn’t first begin with the Holy Spirit in my heart.
Seeing London
Compared to Oxford, I really didn’t take that many photos in Oxford. Many of the places you go into there don’t allow photos on the inside. But here are some of the highlights…
Snow for Easter
When I was home in Ohio for Christmas, the weather as 55 degrees with rain.
Today, I’m home again in Ohio for Easter (as a result of my ongoing support development trip). The weather is 30-degrees, with snow!
All the flowers that bloomed are now frozen dead. (The white stuff in the picture is snow.) It’s not the first time I’ve seen snow in Ohio for Christmas Easter, but this is definalty unusual since it’s so late in the spring time.
Billboard Believing
“Believe” is something everyone does. And it’s the subject of these two billboards in Orlando, which are ironically back to back.
This one for Sea World is on State Route 528, aka “The Beachline.” You see it when driving west from the airport, towards the tourist side of Orlando.
Then there’s this one, seen when coming east on Rt 528 towards the airport (for people headed away from the tourist areas).
Both are asking people to believe in something. Actually, I saw the bottom billboard for our local United Methodist Churches a few weeks ago and was tempted to blog about it then. My initial reaction was “that’s so weak.” As a Christian, my beliefs are based on something more than wishes. My beliefs are based on facts: historical truth and present reality. A wish is something more… fanciful. Shallow. Unfulfilled. That doesn’t sound like a belief I want to have.
If this billboard where true, I could make a wish a million dollars would fall from the sky. But would I believe in it coming true? Not likely, because there is not basis of fact to support it.
I do though have to give some credit to the second sign: it seems people find it easier to wish than to believe. But wishing upon a star does not meet the heart’s need to believe in something real.
Ironically, I think the Sea World advertisement has a more correct message for Christianity. Jesus invites us to come to Him (as He comes to us), experience His reality, and believe in Him. A wish is not generally based on a personal experience; a belief is.
Perhaps only in a city that makes billions on selling the idea of fanciful wishes would you find two such contrasting messages back-to-back.
