Museum Shoes

"Then Moses said to the Israelites, 'See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri,the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill and knowledge in all kinds of crafts - 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 artistic craftsmanship. And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahismach, of the tribe of Dan, 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 craftsman and designers....' (Exodus 35: 30-35)

Last week I had the wonderful opportunity to view some of the work of the seventeenth century Dutch master Rembrandt van Rijn. The exhibit was entitled: "Rembrandt and the Face of Jesus" and was the first exhibit of the artist since 1932. The museum had never before displayed the series of paintings depicting the face of Christ. Etchings and drawings by the artist were also on display - all with the focus upon one subject: Jesus.

I purchased my ticket and eagerly took my place at the end of a long line. The entrance and exit of visitors was carefully controlled and monitored. While in line I received a set of headphones to enable me to hear commentary about the exhibit. Finally, it was my turn to enter the exhibit area. I turned on the headphones.

As I looked and listened, tears came to my eyes. The commentator spoke of the life of Christ, quoting directly from the Bible. Passages discussing sin, Christ's miraculous healing work, and His resurrection were not ignored. They were stated as factual information.

I slowly walked through the exhibit, taking time to move within inches of the various etchings and paintings. The details and energy of the lines was beautiful. The use of light and the portrayal of Christ? Glorious! My heart was encouraged with the mastery on display.

Driving home later that day I continued to marvel at the exhibit. Lines of visitors came and stood patiently to see Rembrandt's work. Why? Rembrandt was "filled with skill and knowledge of all kinds of crafts" given to him by the greatest of all creators - God. Rembrandt used his artistic skills to the fullest and as a result God was glorified. Hundreds of years later, God continues to be honored and glorified by Rembrandt's artistic genius.

Dear sisters if you are skilled with "knowledge of all crafts", do not minimize those gifts! Use them. Develop them. Work at them. Enjoy them. They have been given to you by God. Glorify Him by using the skills given to you. May others see your work and glorify our Father - even hundreds of years from now!