Filled With God's Spirit for Our Work

One of the things that I enjoy in life is being able to hang out with people that are gifted in their vocation. I'm currently working with a husband and wife team that does commercial photography and advertising design. They're passionate about their work and it comes through in absolute excellence. My wife is a 4th grade teacher and you can tell that she has been called to do just that. A great friend of mine is a painting contractor and obviously gifted in his vocation. His customers can see it. This morning I had breakfast with our Engineering Manager. He is an awesome machine designer, equally passionate about his relationship with God and his design work. Exodus 35:30-32 indicates that our vocational abilities come from the Spirit of God! Maybe your reaction is something like, "Yeah, right!" but listen to what the passage says:

30Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 31and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts— 32to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 33to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic craftsmanship. 34And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others. 35He 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.

When I read this, my reaction was "Wow! Is it really possible to walk in that reality?" John Eldredge points out in Waking the Dead that Satan wants desperately to destroy the glory that God has deposited in us. Is it any wonder that most of us find our jobs to be anything but glorious and joyful? I get the sneaky feeling we're being ripped off!

Lord, today at work, I want to walk in your glory. I want that glory to come through in the passion that I have for my vocation so that I, in turn, glorify you before others.