The unknown faithful

I AM constantly amazed by how small the Army world is. Family and friendship links are part of Salvationist DNA! Frequent travel around the UKT strengthens this perception. Very early in this appointment it taught me to be careful when using sermon illustrations based on Salvationists, because someone in the congregation would be able to identify the anonymous person spoken about!

Amazement changes to apathy when I am bombarded with celebrity gossip. I have little interest in my own sense of fashion, so why do I need to know what famous people are wearing?

Apathy turns to awe when I turn to Scripture and carefully read its pages. It is so obvious that in my rush to get to the ‘good bits’ I miss the fact that the Bible story is full of people we know nothing about, yet who had a huge impact by working out their destiny under God – the unknown but faithful of God.

For example, look at Exodus 31:1–5. Who on earth – or in the Bible – is Bezalel? And how do we pronounce his name?

Almost a third of the Book of Exodus is dedicated to details about how the Tabernacle – Israel’s wilderness sanctuary – should be built. In particular, chapters 25 to 31 give the blueprint for the finer details. It is Bezalel who is given the responsibility of overseeing this work. He was the ‘Bob the builder’ of his day.

Bezalel means ‘in the shadow of God’, and he was God’s special choice for a particular purpose. His name is mentioned again only in the parallel chapter of Exodus 35. On this basis, it is possible to read the Bible yet never really notice anything about Bezalel; yet, in truth, without his work the Tabernacle would have been a plain, uncomfortable, easily forgotten building.

A closer look at these verses will bring a clearer perspective on our own life.

This is not a random story. God says: ‘See I have chosen’ (Exodus 31:2 all quotations from New International Version). Everything starts with God. When we see what God sees, feel what he feels and do what he says, we gain a sense of our own ‘chosen-ness’. It is time once again to pick up our calling from God and run with it. It is time to fight, to fight for something that is higher, something that is important.

Our lives are too valuable, our calling too great, our God too good, for us to waste. God uses ordinary people by giving them an extraordinary calling.

God says: ‘I have filled him with the Spirit of God’ (31:3). I like the way the early Old Testament Scriptures, without question, credit God with the giving of all good gifts, skills and talents. It is God who made Bezalel a great craftsman. There is a huge amount of information in these chapters about the building project, but there comes a point when we need to work out the revelation from God and not just the information, as this takes us to another level.

Alongside the calling and the revelation come the gifts (31:3). Bezalel is given wisdom to grasp what is needed, understanding of the steps to take and the practical skills to ensure the task is completed. We have God’s provision to do all that he has called us to do. When the people of God use the gifts of God, the world will be changed.

The ministry of Bezalel reminds me that the Church is not about superstars. The Salvation Army is full of people who care, act and serve like Bezalel – who faithfully, without seeking the spotlight, serve God in their corps. It may be through the welcome given to visitors, the stacking of chairs at the end of the meeting, offering a meal to a homeless person or the mentoring of a young person as they develop in their faith. It is the miracle of God working through his people.

So then, God is not calling us to take up space on this earth to make a name for ourselves. We are called to change the world where we live.

What is your legacy for the future?

Why not compose a phrase, of not more than eight words, of what you want your epitaph to be? You may not ever make the headlines, but you can help to shape eternity.

• Major Herbert is Territorial Candidates Director