This beautiful picture was given to me as a gift by my friend Sharon.

The detail is remarkable.

It was created by using different colored tiny beads.

Each bead has a place, not one unused or insignificant.

Each one unique, but when arranged in just the right spots brings something of extraordinary beauty.

I cannot imagine the time and attention it took to create this picture.

If I would have looked at the directions on making this project, I would have got to step three and probably would have looked for something else.

But like the notes jump off the page for a musician, or an equation makes sense to a mathematician, these directions spoke to my friend.

That is probably how Bezalel felt when he was called by the Lord.

I’m sure you all know who Bezalel is, right?

It’s ok…I didn’t either.

But even though his name does not jump out at us like Moses or Mary, he holds a special place in the Bible.  Four chapters in Exodus to be exact.

More importantly, he holds a significant place in God’s kingdom.

“Then Moses told the people of Israel, ‘The Lord has specifically chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.  The Lord has filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. He is a master craftsman, expert in working with gold, silver, and bronze.  He is skilled in engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood. He is a master at every craft.” Exodus 35:30-33

Bezalel was hand chosen by God to perform any task that was involved in building the sanctuary.

“For the framework of the Tabernacle, Bezalel constructed frames of acacia wood.  Each frame was 15 feet high and 27 inches wide, with two pegs under each frame. All the frames were identical.” Exodus 36: 20

“For the inside of the Tabernacle, Bezalel made a special curtain of finely woven linen.  He decorated it with blue, purple and scarlet thread with skillfully embroidered cherubim.  For the curtain, he made four posts of acacia wood and four gold hooks. He overlaid the posts with gold and set them in four silver bases.”  Exodus 36:35-36

“Next, Bezalel used acacia wood to construct a square altar of burnt offering.  It was 7 ½ feet wide, 7 ½ feet long and 4 ½ feet high. He made horns for each of its four corners so that that horns and altar were all one piece.  He overlaid the altar with bronze.” Exodus 38:1-2

Confession?  My eyes glaze over a bit on certain parts of the Bible.  This was one of them. Why do I need to know the specifications of the tabernacle?  Why does this take up so many chapters in Exodus? It is not the parting of the Red Sea, the burning bush or the Ten Commandments.

Sometimes we miss stories in His word because they may appear insignificant.

But there is no detail in God’s eyes that is insignificant.

Let me say that again.

There is no detail in God’s eyes that is insignificant.

The word detail can have two meanings.  It can be an individual feature or to assign someone to a particular task.

Do you see how God is present in both meanings?

He hand picks Bezalel for the task of constructing the Tabernacle and then gives him what he needs to perform the tasks.

“All whose hearts were stirred and whose spirits were moved came and brought their offerings to the Lord.  They brought all the materials needed for the Tabernacle, for the performance of the rituals, and for the sacred garments.  Both men and women came, all whose hearts were willing. They brought to the Lord their offerings of gold-brooches, earrings, rings from their fingers and necklaces.  They presented gold objects of every kind as a special offering to the Lord. All those who owned the following items willingly brought them: blue, purple and scarlet thread; fine linen and goat hair for cloth; and tanned ram skins and fine goatskin leather.  And all who had silver and bronze objects gave them to the Lord. And those who had acacia wood brought it for use in the project.” Exodus 35: 21-24

God not only spoke to Bezalel, but also to all who would have a role in the building of the Tabernacle.  He spoke to those who could construct, engrave, sew and donate materials. Each person had a role to play.  No role was insignificant.

Think about how more relatable His word becomes when we feel like He is speaking directly to us.  And our hearts stir when we understand we all have a significant place in His kingdom.

Friends, God is in every detail of our lives : the occupations that we have, the tasks we perform and in what we give.

And like the tiny colorful beads used to make this beautiful picture, when arranged by His hand, we each help to create something of extraordinary beauty bringing glory to His kingdom.

There is no detail in God’s eyes that is insignificant.

Amen.

GRRR…..

The sound comes from deep within me before I can stop it some days.

This animal-like growl signifies that I have been inconvenienced, interrupted or annoyed in some way.

Maybe I have to wait longer than I would like to in the check out line, or one of the boys has asked me to get up to make food literally two minutes after I have sat down or walked in the door (If you have teenagers, you know exactly what I am talking about). Maybe I haven’t eaten or had my coffee yet.

You get the picture. It doesn’t take much to trigger our GRRR button.

The GRRR is our default setting.

It takes more effort to get to a place of grace.

But there was One who did not growl when inconvenienced or interrupted.

He did not get easily annoyed with people or circumstances,

“And the Word (Christ) became flesh, and lived among us; and we saw His glory, glory that belongs to the (One and) only begotten Son of the Father, (the Son who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, who is) full of grace and truth (absolutely free of deception) “ John 1:14

For Jesus, there was no GRRR before the grace.

He didn’t become impatient when the lines of people wanting to see Him became great. He repeatedly and consistently offered love and mercy.

“ When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.” Matthew 14: 14

“And large crowds came to Him, bringing with them those who were lame, crippled, blind, mute and many others, and they laid them down at His feet; and He healed them” Matthew 15:30.

After a long day, the disciples were tired and hungry. They were ready for Jesus to send the people away.

Jesus had other ideas.

“When the day was nearly gone, His disciples came to Him and said, “This is an isolated place, and it is getting late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.

But He replied, “You give them something to eat!” And they asked Him, “Shall we go and buy 200 Denali worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” Mark 6 :35-37

I am guessing this was a GRRR before the grace moment for the disciples.

They were probably thinking: does He really expect us to go into town after a long day and buy food for all of these people?

But Jesus, who also had to be tired and hungry, performs a miracle.

“He said to the disciples “How many loaves of bread do you have? Go look! And when they found out, they said, “Five loaves and two fish.” Then Jesus commanded them all to sit down by groups in the green grass. They sat down in groups of hundreds and of fifties. Taking the five loaves and two fishes, He looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people; and He divided up the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied. And the disciples picked up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of fish. Those who ate the loaves were five thousand men (not counting women and children).” Mark 6: 38-44

When Jesus became flesh, He did not offer the human response when He was interrupted or inconvenienced.

These were opportunities to show His love and mercy to a broken world.

Jesus offered grace spontaneously.

No hesitation.

No GRRR.

Today, may that same grace come before our GRRR …so that we, too can share His love with others.

Amen.