The Threads of Life

Exodus 25:2 & 4 "...From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering...blue, purple, and scarlet thread.."

Encouragement found my heart this morning as I read through God's "how to build a tabernacle" instruction manual. That probably sounds a little strange so let me explain.

Right now during this season of life God is inviting me to give "threads" of my life to Him. Some of these threads are a result of plucking and tugging at snags and knots in the fabric of my life. (And yes, plucking and tugging has resulted in some holes that require a certain amount of stitching and mending.) Other threads have a mysterious past, I'm not exactly sure how or when they came into my possession.

Although uniquely colored and textured, individually these threads are not worth much- if anything at all. I don't know why I've held onto them this long except for the reason of habit and maybe just a bit of nostalgia. After all, who wants to forget memories.

I don't really understand what God wants with my threads. What could the Grand Artist and Designer of the universe, the Breath of Life, and the Master of all things do with some useless threads? And then, I read this...

Exodus 28:5-6 "...they shall take the gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and the fine linen, and they shall make the ephod of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen, artistically worked."

My heart found hope this morning when I read those verses. God wants my threads, the ones that I willingly offer up to Him so He can fashion them into a holy garment for me to wear in service to Him. Those threads are not wasted. He has a plan to use them and me. But the formation of the holy garment requires His touch-His Artistic Design.

So willingly I offer my threads to Him and wait. And eagerly anticipate the day when I get to wear those threads and serve others on His behalf.

Further encouragement:
Isaiah 61:3- "To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness..."
Isaiah 61:10- "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness..."

*To learn more about the ephod, I recommend the following:
http://www.templemountfaithful.org/Newsletters/2001/5761-9.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ephod
http://bibleencyclopedia.com/ephod.htm