“Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri of the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts…” (Exodus 35:30-31)

Moses goes on to describe the kinds of skills the Lord has given to Bezalel to make artistic designs with gold and bronze, to cut and set stones, and to engage in all kinds of artistic craftsmanship in constructing their first sanctuary. 

God gives to each person various talents, gifts and abilities that are peculiar to that person.  The examples are numerous – teachers, scientists, truck drivers, landscapers, cooks, entrepreneurs, executives, business owners, medical caregivers, computer programmers, writers, salespeople, various crafts people, housewives and mothers, etc.

To illustrate, we only need to look at our adult children.  After raising their children, one daughter serves as a campus minister at a major state university; another has been a high school language and history teacher; a third is a special education teacher; a fourth, who has a developmental disability, has worked at a bakery making dog biscuits.  Today she has a “Coffee and Community” ministry after daily mass a couple days a week at our church where she gives all who come a hug and a cup of coffee.  Our son and his wife are wedding photographers.  Each of them is doing what God has especially gifted them to do. 

The way in which God dispenses his gifts is one of the great mysteries of his creation — all of this accomplished through the DNA contained in the microscopic human sperm and egg that come together in our procreation.  Amazing!

One of our life’s challenges is to discern what our gifts are in determining our vocation and life’s work. 

Do you ask God in helping you discern your life’s work?