Around my house I am not known as a handyman. I can change a light bulb with the best of them but when it comes to wiring a light fixture, fixing a broken toilet, or anything else that involves some technical skill or training I’m out! I’ve learned my lesson the hard way. There have been a few times when I’ve ventured out on my own and after watching a few YouTube videos have attempted to cross over into territory that is not meant for me. Most of the time this ends in multiple trips to Home Depot, tools purchased that I will never use again, and calling the plumber to finish the job I started, all costing me more than it would have had I called the plumber in the first place.

As I read today’s chapters the thing that stuck out most to me were the detailed instructions. God laid it out for the Israelites-only certain people were to touch certain things. Only certain people were allowed to go to certain places. One wrong move and someone would end up dead. Numbers 3:38 says, “Moses and Aaron and his sons were to camp to the east of the tabernacle, toward the sunrise, in front of the Tent of Meeting. They were responsible for the care of the sanctuary on behalf of the Israelites. Anyone else who approached the sanctuary was to be put to death.” That’s a lot of pressure to get it right.

I’m thankful that through all of my home improvement mishaps I’ve never been in danger of losing my life. I’ve always been able to call someone who is trained to do the job right and get things fixed. As New Testament Christians the church is set up in a similar fashion. Some are meant to teach, some to preach, some to lead in worship, and some to serve in Children's ministry (many crowns in heaven to those of you in that role). My point is that God designed us all with different talents and abilities and our role in the church should lean into these gifts. May we all take time to think about what talents and abilities God has gifted us with and how we can be used to grow his church!