Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
King Solomon conscripted laborers from all Israel-thirty thousand men. He sent them off to Lebanon in shifts of ten thousand a month, so that they spent one month in Lebanon and two months at home. Adoniram was in charge of the forced labor. Solomon had seventy thousand carriers and eighty thousand stonecutters in the hills, as well as thirty-three hundred foremen who supervised the project and directed the workmen. At the king’s command they removed from the quarry large blocks of quality stone to provide a foundation of dressed stone for the temple. The craftsmen of Solomon and Hiram and the men of Gebal cut and prepared the timber and stone for the building of the temple.
– 1 Kings 5:13-18
Devotion
One of my favorite things about childhood was playing sports. I grew up playing baseball, soccer, basketball, and eventually football. Besides having fun, one of the values of playing sports is learning teamwork. Much like a sports team, the body of Christ (the church) includes people with different talents and makeups who come together to contribute to God’s work in our world.
Solomon realized his need for other gifted people to enter into the process of glorifying God through building the temple. Accomplishing the vision of the church to glorify God in the world also takes many workers. Far too often, church members find themselves in the role of the spectator, observing from the sidelines. Instead, we are all called to contribute to the work.
The Big Question
Are you using your gifting to be a part of the work of the church? Where could you serve in order to better utilize your gifting?
Conclude your time in prayer and silence reflecting on what you have learned.