That was rigorous. Still, I do not regret it — rather, I feel blessed to have been given the opportunity to take part in it!
We studied the Tabernacle the children of Israel made in the wilderness according to God’s directions to Moses on Mt. Sinai. Mr. David Cloud taught and my father translated the message into Nepali. Because I heard everything twice, it really helped to cement things into my memory! However, the more I learn, the more I find how little I know. Though I learned a host of new material (much of which I have probably not retained very well!), there is one particular thing from this series of lessons that I most treasure.
Before, I usually saw the Israelites as being always rebellious, ever ungrateful, and completely faithless. But I had been totally missing out on their obedience and faithfulness in building the tabernacle. Though I remember noticing the verses that mention this, I had not focused on them.
“. . . as the LORD commanded Moses”
“. . . according to all that the Lord commanded him, so did he.”
They did exactly as He had commanded: they did not change anything. This is pleasing to God, and is truly acceptable to Him. May we follow their good example in everything we do — big or little!
“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2).
The schedule?
5 A.M. — Wake up, but do not disturb the guests!
6 – 10 A.M. — Prepare three meals for about one hundred people. Arrange the bedding after the guests get up. Serve (and eat, if we have not run out of time or the food supply) morning tea and breakfast. Clean up the kitchen, rooms, gathering hall, and grounds. Get dressed (and comb your hair!) for classes! RUN!!! The keyboard is already calling for assembly!
11 A.M. – 1:30 P.M. — Attend classes. Run if you don’t want to queue up outside the restrooms!
1:30 – 2 P.M. — Serve (and hopefully eat) lunch.
2 – 5 P.M. — Attend classes.
5 – 7:30 P.M. — Cook, serve, and eat dinner (if we have run out of rice, you’ll have to wait until more is cooked). If there happens to be too much, then you’ll have a proper feast!
7:30 – 8:30 P.M. — Attend the last class for the day. Tickle the roof of your mouth with your tongue if you’re feeling drowsy. For shame! Take a gulp of water if you are drifing off!
8:30 – 10:00 P.M. — Arrange bedding to accommodate everyone. Lights out at 10 for the guests! Too bad if you happen to be one of the singers: be prepared to sing your vocal chords off to practice the special songs for the next day (and hope you don’t choke yourself by laughing too much; also hope that the rehearsal ends by 11 pm! If you happen to be hungry, you can dine on the leftovers again).
By the way, you can whisper under the covers until 1 A.M. if you want to — but you’ll pay for it next morning!
We are found pleasing to God not because of our service, but because of our position in Christ. Because the Father sees us in His Son, our service to Him is acceptable in His sight. Praise Him for the blessed opportunity we had to serve Him in those days!
Have you ever realized that you can give things to God that are of value to Him? Or are you just sitting around daydreaming about the greatness of His redemption, while neglecting all the things you could be doing for Him? I’m not referring to works which could be regarded as divine and miraculous, but ordinary, simple human things – things which would be evidence to God that you are totally surrendered to Him.
— Oswald Chambers
“Didi, what shall I do?” my seven-year-old brother whimpers for the twenty-seventh time. I look up from the Human Resource Management flashcards on Quizlet. “Want to play with me?” “What?” “International Business.” His face lights up. Since he forgot his chess board in the other house, this board game has become his favorite. “But,” I say, “We have to set the time first.” “Okay,” he agrees, happy with anything he can get. “How long?” I ask, in a warning voice, “Don’t say too much or complain or else I won’t play.” “Five minutes?” he asks, hopefully turning up his face to look at me. I can’t resist the eyes. Feeling guilty, I reply, “I’ll play for 15 minutes if you arrange the money while I go get a drink.” When I return, he is ready and waiting for me.
“I’m yellow, and you’re blue,” he grins. “Let’s roll only one dice today.” “Why?” “I don’t want to count,” he reasons philosophically. “It will take forever for us to get one round done that way! We’ll roll both, and I’ll add up your numbers for you.” “All right,” he replies. “Let’s start then.” “Three, five, eight,” I say. “Pay 500 Rupees to get out of jail.”