Solomon’s Example
So I have realized that I haven’t updated my blog in centuries so I thought I would take a moment to say hi. What a journey the last few weeks have been!! My life has shifted in so many good ways… I think it will be months before my jaw removes itself from the ground and my mouth stops smiling from ear to ear. In the last few days I have been working through my taxes… gotta love that season!! But, God has used it in such a cool way in my life. I have had to reflect on the sources of my income over the 2008 tax year and I realized then and there what God has done. My money came from the Coffee Shop, graphics and other random jobs… every once in a while you would see a check from music. In November my world drastically shifted and music became my biggest source of income and everything else almost fully dropped off. No more coffee shop, very few miscellaneous jobs and a few graphics checks. I was amazed!! God told me in November that I was to shift into doing music full time. I walked forward as He commanded me to but still moved slowly… waiting on Him. He opened door after door and now I am traveling more than I am at home in Nashville. It amazes me!! I just feel so blessed.
But like anyone in a sweet season who is also seeking the Lord, sometimes we start to wonder when the curtain is going to fall and ACT 2 which is not quite so nice of a season will begin. I have been watching over my shoulder to see if there was anyone ready to attack me. I have fully enjoyed my blessings… don’t get me wrong… but I haven’t wanted to hold too tightly to them. THEN God showed me something. He took me to 1 Kings 3 and started to unfold the story of Solomon.
Solomon was placed on the throne at a very young age. I believe he was 14. When he became king, God came to him and said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” Solomon replied saying that he wanted wisdom to lead God’s people. God was so overjoyed by his response that He gave Solomon his request and also gave him wealth, honor, and long life. From there Solomon sat on the throne in all his wisdom and riches. His reign was signified by rest and peace. All those that served him loved one another and served the king with loyalty in their hearts. There were no wars and basically nothing going wrong in his life. He had everything.
I read that and thought, I can relate to that. I feel so blessed and fulfilled in my life right now. I am overjoyed and content in my circumstances. And, everything seems to be happening in my favor. But then, the story continued…
After years of the good life, Solomon made a bad choice. He enjoyed the lady friends a bit too much and found himself with women that were considered untouchables. God had specifically told the Israelites not to get involved with the women that Solomon eventually found himself with. God was so frustrated that He raised up someone to be Solomon’s adversary… enemy. This was the first recorded enemy in his life as king. Then, He raised yet another enemy for Solomon to battle. And sadly enough, He raised up the people that were once his loyal friends to be his enemies because of his rebellion. It wasn’t long after that, that Solomon took to his death.
What a sad way to end life. And what a wake up call his life is for me!! I realize the importance of my season of blessing and then I also realize my role within the season. This season is not just for me to hoard. This is a gift from God to be treasured but to also be held onto loosely. He can take away this season at any moment. I don’t want to begin to think that since I am seeing such favor that I have permission to lead my life the way I want it to go.
Whether I am in a season of blessing or trials I want my life to look the same… fully surrendered to God. And then from there I can give thanksgiving no matter what is happening.
I think that Solomon wishes he would have stuck to that plan. He wrote in Ecclesiastes (the book he wrote near his death) that the conclusion to all that he learned in life is that we are to “Fear God and keep His commands, for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13. May we learn from his mistakes!!
Solomon
