[reprinted from June 17, 2009]
But Yahweh said to Samuel, “Don’t look on his face, or on the height of his stature; because I have rejected him: for I see not as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart.†1 Samuel 16:7 (WEB)
In Gibeon Yahweh appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.â€
Solomon said, “You have shown to your servant David my father great loving kindness, according as he walked before you in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with you. You have kept for him this great loving kindness, that you have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. Now, Yahweh my God, you have made your servant king instead of David my father. I am but a little child. I don’t know how to go out or come in. Your servant is in the midst of your people which you have chosen, a great people, that can’t be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give your servant therefore an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this your great people?â€
The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. God said to him, “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked for yourself long life, neither have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice; behold, I have done according to your word. Behold, I have given you a wise and an understanding heart; so that there has been none like you before you, neither after you shall any arise like you. I have also given you that which you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there shall not be any among the kings like you, all your days. If you will walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.†1 Kings 3:5-14 (WEB)
I watched The Jazz Singer with Neil Diamond and Laurence Olivier again last night. If I had to choose ten movies to take with me to watch on my flat screen TV on a deserted island, this would be one of the ten! I can relate to Jess Robin in that it I had to reach my goals on my own path. It was never the path my parents wanted me to take and it was never the goal they had in mind. I never saw myself as rebellious but very independent!
God gave each of us gifts and the planting of these gifts have created love and passion for the call that we have been given. All my life I love to care for people. No surprise that I became a nurse. Also no surprise that my best time as a nurse was when I worked for a hospice. My love of teaching and caring flourished during that time. It was not the best paying job I ever had. It was not the easiest job I ever had. It was the best.
Some might ask, “Why aren’t you doing that now?†That season has passed. God is leading me into a new season. It is not clear yet how the passion that I have inside of me will be guided by Jesus’ wise and perfect hand into this new time but I know He will do it!
No matter what your age, do not ‘settle’ for anything less than the passion that God has placed inside you! Like Jess in the movie, following your passion and using your God-given talents may mean stepping out of the boat and trusting Jesus to show you how to walk on the water! Decide who you will follow. And family and friends may not be on board with the plan. It may mean deciding who you will serve.
David was only a shepherd. God saw him as a king that from his lineage would come the King of Kings! Solomon was a king. More importantly he was pleasing to God.
Spend time with Jesus and choose to be a passionate servant for God.
Days of Elijah written by Robin Mark (1999)
