As a little girl I marveled at my grandfather’s ability to broadcast seed. He would reach into the bag of seed strapped to his side and draw out a handful of seed. Then he would raise that arm and cast that seed over a freshly plowed field. When the plants would come up, they were well spaced and looked as if they had been carefully planted. They didn’t look like they had been cast out in one broad sweep of the hand.

I so wanted to try to do that. I just knew I could. But, I could not. At least not like he did. When my row of seed sprouted, it was uneven. Too much here…not enough there.

If we needed a picnic table, he made it. If a barn needed building, he and his brothers built it. If a farm implement needed repair, he repaired it. The things his hands could do were a marvel to me.

I watch great artists. Their hands just seem to know which brush stroke will bring a masterpiece. The potter brings beauty from the potter wheel. Architects can see in their minds eye magnificent buildings. And the musicians. Oh the sounds that refresh our hearts and calm our spirits.

A person must work at the skill they have been given. Practice and repetition hone skills to a higher plane of expertise. But, from where does the skill come?

“Then Moses said to the sons of Israel, See, the Lord has called by name Bezalel the son of uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And He has filled him with theSpirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all craftsmanship; to make designs for working in gold and in silver and in bronze, and in the cutting of stones for settings, and in the carving of wood so as to perform in every inventive work. He has also put in his heart to teach, both he and Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan.
And He has filled them with skill to perform every work of an engraver and of a designer and of an embroiderer, in blue and in purple and in scarlet material and in fine linen, and of a weaver, as performers of every work and maker of designs.” Exodus 35:30-35 NASB

For me, I believe our Father puts those things within us. When I see a great masterpiece or hear a great musician or see a rocket go into space, I’m always amazed at what our Father puts inside a person…in their heart…in their minds…in their hands.

Could the skill within us be a reflection of the One true Artist? The Artist that made all things?
Maybe bringing the art within us to full expression might be an act of obedience? An act of worship when offered back to Him?

I am always wondering…and marveling…