Exo 25:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.

He was so excited. He had been given an assignment to bring something special and share about it with the whole class. He wasn’t quite sure what it would be yet. It could be a toy, a small pet, something he could do, or just anything that really meant something to him. He really didn’t have much from which to choose, but he was just fascinated by the idea that someone might actually be interested in him. No one had really expressed much interest before. They had always changed the subject or even just ignored him anytime he had started to talk. This would be different, though. There was a certain amount of time set aside just for him, and he would get to show and tell without interruption. He began to envision what it would be like to have faces looking at him, actually interested in the expression of his heart. He was imagining their acceptance of him and whatever it was he would share, when another thought entered his mind and his excitement began to ebb. What if the thing he would bring wasn’t good enough? What if, instead of acceptance, there was rejection as a result of his heart’s expression? Could this assignment yield just the opposite of his initial hope?

To attend the class of the redeemed is to be given an offering assignment, an opportunity to bring a special part of our heart, and present it to the Lord in worship. We’re given the opportunity to express the things that are most precious to our heart, to present them before the Lord in service and in love. What an exciting prospect, to show and reveal the things that have been given from the Father and have them be of some interest and usefulness in His hands. There is something, though, that through past experience or natural reticence, quite often goes through the mind. What will happen when my offering is brought? Will it be good enough? Will it be holy enough, and will it be an embarrassment rather than a blessing or encouragement?

While God is interested in perfection and His holiness is without compromise, there is a way shown in this passage from Exodus that gives great hope and inspiration in the preparation of our offering. In the package of a willing and pure heart, the substance of the offering itself will be made acceptable. Where there may be concern about our offering’s legitimacy, that concern doesn’t have to inhibit its presentation. Instead of focusing on the heart’s offering with trepidation and worry, the gaze can be placed and attention given to the One who has formed that heart in the first place. Great confidence can be found in the assurance that, no matter what is brought as an offering; acceptance will be there at the altar as long as it is brought with a willing heart, as an expression of love to the Father. There may not be reception by others there at the altar. Other presenters may be critical of our presentation, but the One for whom our offering is truly given will not turn away anything that is done with a pure motive towards Him. We don’t have to be kept from the altar by fear of imperfection, and once the offering is given, we can be assured of its acceptance without backward glances of insecurity. Though our assurance may not come from anyone else, the One who gave the assignment will not only accept, but embrace what is presented. In every offering from a willing heart, there is promise of open arms, enhanced relationship, and more encouragement and inspiration from the Assignment Giver.

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