Skilled Artisans

So you shall speak to all who are gifted artisans, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron’s garments, to consecrate him, that he may minister to Me as priest. Exodus 28:3

God was building a tangible representation of himself on earth. While it didn’t nearly come close to who He really is, by worldly standards it was pretty impressive. Only the best of everything was used. Not just artisans, but gifted artisans were asked to contribute. Notice it says “gifted” immediately followed by the indication that they were “filled with the spirit of wisdom”. I don’t think this was spiritual wisdom but wisdom to be gifted and skilled. Their contributions were considered sacred and were the reason Aaron didn’t die when he entered God’s presence. It is safe to guess they weren’t passive, lackadaisical, or unprepared. Every hem was straight, every piece of metal was pure. Every technique mastered, every hour of practice and skills learned were used and put into that one job.

As musicians, we are gifted artisans who have been filled with the spirit of wisdom to be the best we can be. In us is the ability to go deeper and farther, not just spiritually, but musically as well. So often as musicians we reach a point and then are content to stay there. We define ourselves by who we are and not who we are becoming. We settle for mediocrity and half-hearted comfortableness.

If old wine skins cannot hold new wine, than neither can old guitar strings, the same keyboard or guitar patches, cheap instruments, or the same passive ways of playing a song. We should be challenged, disciplined, innovative, and creative. We should stretch ourselves, strive to be more skillful than we were before, and bring God our best.