In recent weeks, I’ve spent a lot of time with David (from the Bible) and now Solomon. And I have about 142 blog posts I could write because wow. Lots of lessons. Lots of truths. Lots of “Lord, God, please don’t let me make those same mistakes.” But this weekend something grabbed at me from the text and I actually had a few minutes to put it into blog format.
I was reading 1 Kings chapter 11 where it tells us that Solomon had 700 wives, who were foreign princesses, and 300 concubines. “And his wives turned away his heart (from the Lord).” You think? I’m not even going to get into the whole multiple wives thing except to remind us that Jesus made it really clear that God’s design was for one man and one woman to become one through marriage. For now, we’ll just leave that conundrum on the table.
What was most sobering was how strong and faithful Solomon started and how disastrous his story ended. And I said to God, “I don’t want that to be my testimony! I don’t want people to look at my life and say over dinner, ‘Well, that Lara Williams started strong but she really fell away, didn’t she? Can you pass the butter?'” Tragic.
Just like David his father, Solomon didn’t wake up one day and step off the cliff of wisdom and obedience into a pit of sin. It was a “slow fade.” He made one compromise then another then another then another until God no longer sat on the throne of his heart. May that not be said of us!
One way we can keep our feet on course is to remember remember how we want our story to end. We think through and write down the legacy we want to leave. We put a mark on the proverbial line of life and aim to hit it. Because the choices we make in the moments of today will greatly influence who we become tomorrow.
The choices we make in the moments of today
will greatly influence who we become tomorrow.
I don’t know how “thinking through” or “writing down” will look for you. But for me it means purposefully looking ahead with God. It means staying accountable with a few key people in my life — being real and honest about my struggles. It means asking God how He wants me to spend my minutes and taking time to worship Him. It means saying “no” to things He has said aren’t best and “yes” to sacrificial love. And when I fail which happens daily, I pray He gives me a heart that willingly repents and feet that quickly step back onto the path of faith and vision and love.
You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11
The man or woman we are at the end of our story will be greatly influenced by the choices we make today. I can love or I can hate. Walk by faith or cower in fear. Forgive or seek revenge. Intercede or nag. Bless or curse. A million little choices that lead us, step-by-step, down the path we each call “my life.”
Fill me, Lord…
What kind of person do you want to be “when you grow up”?
What choices can you purposefully make today to keep your feet on course?
In other news, regarding our upcoming move, t-minus 21 days until we close on our current and future home. I’ve heard that moving can be one of the top three stressors of life. Enough said.
Thank you for the post Lara! So true and challenging!
To me too, Kathy!
Reminds me of the song Beautiful Ending by Barlow Girl. Def convicting and encouraging, thank you!
Ahh yes. Good song. Great reminder.
This one struck a particular chord with me. My husband decided a few years ago that he doesn’t believe the bible, calls himself a deist now (had to look that one up). Trying to live my walk with the constant fear of alienating him has put a strain on my relationship with God, and your post reminds me of the damage that placating my husband at the cost of openness to Good can do over time. Thank you for sharing; God uses you.
That’s got to be so challenging. Praying you find great rest in the sovereign love and goodness of God, especially when you can’t see what He’s doing! Press in and press on, sister.
Thanks Lara You always seem to hit in an area that I need someone to talk to me about.
We have so many daily opportunities to sacrifice the self-life, don’t we?! Thankful that our good God is ever patient and the faithful pursuer of our hearts. Keep leaning into Him, one day at a time.
Such a good reminder to put everything back in perspective. How do I want my story to end? Love it. Thanks, Lara!
Thank you for the great challenge and encouragement here! I so needed the reminder that the impact of each choice is what adds up to our life. Also, “intercede or nag”…amen. 🙂
Thanks for sharing, a great reminder to keep pressing on and trusting God, which isn’t easy at times…
I worry too much over the little things!!????
Thank you so much for this post. Lately I’ve been struggling with not only what I want to be when I grow up and where I want to be when I grow up. Ok – I’m 40! I’m coasting in life. I don’t want to coast, because when you coast or drift, you aren’t exercising any control over your direction. Thank you Jesus, I have not drifted away, but I certainly haven’t drifted closer. In the last 2 weeks I’ve been working on being more intentional, purposeful and making sure I am stepping in the right direction. Thank you for the encouragment.