Thursday, 28th March 2024
To guardian.ng
Search

When God gives a specific assignment

By Ernest Onuoha
05 November 2017   |   4:17 am
The work of God must be done in His own way, with no mutilations. If people of God will understand this and keep to it, then, their essence in God’s business will be enhanced.

Ernest Onuoha

“Then the LORD said to Moses, “Gather fragrant spices—resin droplets, mollusk shell, and galbanum—and mix these fragrant spices with pure frankincense, weighed out in equal amounts. Using the usual techniques of the incense maker, blend the spices together and sprinkle them with salt to produce pure and holy incense. Then the LORD said to Moses, “Look, I have specifically chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah”, (Ex. 30:34-35, 31:1-2).

The work of God must be done in His own way, with no mutilations. If people of God will understand this and keep to it, then, their essence in God’s business will be enhanced.

Expectedly, God spoke and gave Moses instructions pertaining to the incense to be burned in His Tabernacle. The Israelites often burned incense, but this holy incense could only be burned in the Tabernacle. Here, God gave the recipe for the special incense. The sweet smelling incense was burned in shallow dishes called incense burners and was used to show honour and reverence to God. It was like prayer lifting up to God. It was also a vital part of the sacred ceremony on the Day of Atonement, when the high priest carried his smoking censer into the most Holy place. This incense, like the sacred anointing oil was so holy that the people were strictly forbidden not to copy it for personal use. Such was the spirit and Moses kept to it.

On the other hand, God regards all the skills of His people, and not merely those with theological or ministerial abilities. Our tendency is to regard only those who are up front and in leadership roles. God gave Bezalel abilities in artistic craftsmanship. Take notice of all the abilities God gives His people. Don’t diminish your skills, if they are not like Moses’ and Aaron’s. Indeed, we all have a place in God’s economy, whether people like it or not.

Unfortunately, we have a problem in the household of God today, for there are some persons who are “jack of all trade and master of none”. Ordained and lay are not free from this. Therefore, there is need for self-evaluation of God’s assignment to us, as individuals within the household of God. Please, discover and pursue your own and may you not be found doing another man’s work.

Interestingly, we know that athletes can only win a prize if they keep to the rules of a game. Any careless athlete in the field of play may end up not getting any accolade, especially if he/she runs foul of the rules governing the said game.

Therefore, as people of God, it behooves us to restrict ourselves to God’s specific assignment unto us and do it in such a way that it will be pleasing to Him. Let it be stated and clearly, too, like St. Paul: “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith”, (Rom. 12:6). Indeed, we need to pray to be available and to play God’s assigned role for us in order to attract His blessings and glorify His name. Cheers!

VEN. ERNEST ONUOHA
Rector, Ibru International Ecumenical Centre, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State.
www.ibrucentre.org

In this article

0 Comments