Excellence at WorkНамуна

Excellence in our work reflects how we think about God. He has given us abilities and called us to work. When we work with excellence, we honor God. Our work becomes worship, regardless of the task.

Let’s look at the last half of the book of Exodus to begin our journey with excellence at work. (Exodus 24-31) God confirms His covenant with Israel and then reveals his desire for them to build a sanctuary for Him. This project begins with an offering in which the people are to bring, “gold, silver and bronze; blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen; goat hair; ram skins dyed red and another type of durable leather; acacia wood; olive oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense; and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breast piece.” (Ex. 25:3-7 NIV)

These were not trinkets, leftovers, or cast-off items from the junk drawer. Their offering was comprised of excellent, valuable treasures which point us to the magnificent God they served and would honor with this project.

God continues to instruct them on how to build the tabernacle, the items it will house, and even the priestly garments. Then, in chapter 31, we meet a man named Belzalel. Some might see him as a simple laborer. But God said, “I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills—to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts.” (Ex. 31:3-5 NIV)

After this commissioning, I imagine Belzalel working to the best of his ability, head held high, honoring God with excellence.

God sees you the same way.

• “Here is Jennifer, filled with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding – to make sense of complicated data for her clients.”
• “Here is Evan, filled with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding – to create marketing plans that communicate how his customer can solve people’s challenges.”
• “Here is Jordan, filled with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding – to help people find a house that they can afford and feel at home in.”

Preparing, planning, and executing our work reflects how we think about God and our grasp of how He thinks about us.