"Make The Dwelling itself from ten panels of tapestry woven from fine twisted linen, blue and purple and scarlet material, with an angel-cherubim design. A skilled craftsman should do it." Exodus 26:1 (MSG)

I own an electric bass that was hand-made by my brother. Each time I play it, I marvel to think that it had once been a couple of blocks of wood in my brother's hands. The craftsmanship is amazing and the sound it makes is spectacular. Each time I play the low B string I can feel the deep, vibrating rumble all the way to my toes. I think back to the cheap department store special on which I first learned to play. The difference in structure, in playability, and in the resulting sound between that bass guitar and the one my brother crafted is so vast as to be comical.

God is an artist and a craftsman. He created the world and all that is in it with infinite complexity. As I read through the detailed description of how he wanted the tent of dwelling, the first dedicated sanctuary for his presence on Earth, built – it is no wonder that he calls upon "skilled craftsman" to do the work. God didn't want a blue-light special. God wanted a hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind work of art full of color and artistry. This portable temple must have been breathtaking to behold.

Today, I meditate on the things I offer God (e.g. my time, my money, my talents, my life), and I wonder if God feels like I'm constantly handing him a cheap, department store knock-off. God is an artist. God is a skilled craftsman, and I know he wants the very best of me that I can possibly offer.