“Then all the congregation of the people of Israel departed from the presence of Moses. And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the Lord’s contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments. So they came, both men and women. All who were of a willing heart brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and armlets, all sorts of gold objects, every man dedicating an offering of gold to the Lord. And every one who possessed blue or purple or scarlet yarns or fine linen or goats’ hair or tanned rams’ skins or goatskins brought them. Everyone who could make a contribution of silver or bronze brought it as the Lord’s contribution. And every one who possessed acacia wood of any use in the work brought it. And every skillful woman spun with her hands, and they all brought what they had spun in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen. All the women whose hearts stirred them to use their skill spun the goats’ hair. And the leaders brought onyx stones and stones to be set, for the ephod and for the breastpiece, and spices and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the fragrant incense. All the men and women, whose heart moved them to bring anything for the work that the Lord had commanded by Moses to be done brought it as a freewill offering to the Lord.” Exodus 35:20-29
Moses had given the people of Israel, whoever is of a generous heart, God’s commands to contribute toward the tabernacle. This was the mobile dwelling of their LORD who traveled with them, their place of worship and sacrifice. Each was encouraged to contribute to its beauty and service, and the Spirit blew mightily through his words among them to bring forth all that was required. (Exodus 35:4-19)
When the Holy Spirit moves a spirit to be made willing, resistance dissolves and God can have His way. When the Spirit stirs a heart, things happen. Beautiful things happen. Fingers loosen, fists open, arms unlock, bitter roots get pulled and discarded. Mindsets are transformed, interests are elevated, language is exalted. Sacrifices flow, grace issue forth in glad, bountiful measure. All, everyone. Contributions, all sorts of objects, offerings. Signets, skills, stones, spices. A will stirred by God’s wind offers freely anything and everything for God’s holy purposes and glory.
Where do we need the Spirit’s stirring, or strong blow? Are there areas in our lives we hold too closely out of insecurity, or shame, or greed? Are we afraid to yield our guarded secrets and ingrained sins to His transforming affect? What holds us back from the freedom and joy He longs for us to know?
“Spirit of the living God…
We want to know You more and more
We’re hanging on every word
‘Cause when You speak, and when You move
When You do what only You can do
It changes us
It changes what we see and what we seek
When You come in the room
When You do what only You can do
It changes us
It changes what we see and what we seek” ~ Vertical Worship (2015)
Spirit of God, stir me, purify what I see and seek, and fill me to overflow to build up and bless Your church.
As the rain and snow 