I Have always loved Pomegranates. As a child I couldn't think someone can actually consider eating this strange fruit. As an art-student I became aware of the beauty of the Pomegranates.Years later, busy living the life of a mother-of-young, this picture in a magazine caught my eye. I filed it in that file for 'things I'd like to keep as inspiration for the precious day I would again get time to practise art'.This haven't happened yet, but is excitingly near the horizon ...!
Funny how I knew exactly where to go look for this pic I stored 9 years ago, yet I can't remember things like having 5 minutes ago, hung my car keys on the key-holder in the kitchen!
Recently I happen to page through a decor magazine and saw a lovely curtain design with pomegranates. It caught my eye. Then I said to myself ; It's all very nice to live out your creativity within the decorating world, but some of us have to get on with real life'
Immediately I was reminded of the Biblical account of the instructions of God to Moses, regarding the tabernacle.
Then Moses said to the Israelites, "See,the Lord has chosen Bezalel...and he was filled with the Spirit of God,with skill,ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts - to make artistic designs...to set stones,to work in wood and engage in all kinds of artistic craftsmanship.And He has given both him and Oholiab...the ability to teach others.He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as craftsmen,designers,embroiderers in blue ,purple and Scarlet yarn and fine linen,and weavers - all of them master craftsmen and designers....to do the work just as the Lord has commanded. From Exodus 35
The Lord rebuked me for my judgemental attitude. Was there maybe also a hint of "Jealousy makes you nasty" ? This is one of the first Scripture recordings of the infilling with the Spirit of the Lord.We are so inclined to focus only on the New Testament gifts of the Spirit and go about arguing if a gift is spiritual or natural. Hubby and myself recently did ' The 3 Colours of Ministry' as a Discipleship course through our church. I quote from the book,regarding the gift of craftsmanship:
Some Christians with this gift suffer from feelings of inferiority because their gifts are not perceived as spiritual'
Forgive me, creative, decorating crafts people of the Lord ! I will no more stand in judgement on your contribution to the Body of Christ.I am going to gladly seek to personally restore some of this gifting that the Lord has placed in myself.
The danger I can see in the wrong application of this gift, relates to Jesus's words in Matthew 12.He tells of the unclean spirit who has gone out of a man,roaming through arid places,finding no rest. Thus he decided to return to his house.He finds it unoccupied,swept,put in order and decorated. Then he goes and brings 7 other spirits more wicked than itself to make their home there.And the Bible tells us that the last condition of the man becomes worse than the first.
Someone told me the story of a lady having loved to decorate her earthly home.She spend every waking moment considering,designing and going about the business of decorating her home to perfection.On dying ,she came to her heavenly home God has prepared for her.Only to find it so stark and without beauty.She asked the Lord if he can't please give her some cloth and other items with which she'll quickly decorate the home beautifully. But the Lord replied;
"My dear daughter, I would have, but you chose to use up all the resources I prepared for you, decorating your earthly home. There is unfortunately none left to decorate your eternal home"
I definitely don't believe our loving God will punish us in this way for earthly sins committed!
The Word says that He remembers our sins no more and that every tear will be wiped away in that heavenly place. Yet I do acknowledge the warning :Lets not all be so busy using our craftsman gifts to decorate our earthly homes(literally and figuratively speaking) and in the process leave the door open for the wrong kind of spirit to enter our lives to steal,kill and destroy what God has intended to bring Him Glory.
Make pomegranates of blue,purple and scarlet yarn around the hem of the robe,with gold bells between them. Exodus 28:33
2 comments:
Food for thought... True, to some decorating the home or practising their art has the potential to become their idol!
I left a comment about your comment on the morning glory post. Go see it, I’m not always sure where one leaves answers to commentors, on your blog or theirsÉ I wonder if commentors go back to see if anyone has commented on their comment! I don’t usually do that, but maybe I should.
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