Have you ever really looked at the life of Solomon? He is praised as the wisest of kings but he, like all of us was severely flawed and made many mistakes. So why does the Bible talk about the wisdom of Solomon?
Apart from Jesus, there has never been a perfect man or woman throughout history. Yet God used men and women throughout history to further His plan and to give us direction. Solomon is no exception.
In Solomon 3 we read of his prayer to the Lord for wisdom. Solomon’s heart was in the right place. He was facing huge challenges that frightened him and he knew he did not have the knowledge or experience to navigate these challenges alone, so he asked the Lord for wisdom. God was pleased with his request and blessed him because He knew Solomon’s heart was in the right place.
We have all been given strengths and talents, things that we use to get through this thing called life. Sometimes, when we have areas of strength it is easier to rely on that strength to get us through than it is to remember to lean on the Lord. Every person has responsibilities and challenges in life. Some are more intense than others, and some require more discipline and focus, but every person has challenges. When the challenge of managing life becomes the focus rather than holy living it is easy to lose sight of our purpose.
I live in a temporary home. I have lived in this temporary home for twelve years. I never thought I would be here this long, yet here I am. I look around and I see that over the twelve years, other than a few pictures and clocks, I have not changed a single thing about this house since the day I moved in. It is a temporary home. I have learned to manage my temporary environment in order to pursue a more permanent home later. Twelve years ago, I didn’t know where that permanent home would be, and today I still don’t. But I do know it isn’t here.
As I have navigated this ‘right now’ in my life I have become so focused on getting through it and getting on with my life that I had forgotten about holiness. That is not to say that I have turned my back or that my life has not been filled with Christ. The Lord is the Lord of my life, He always has been and always will be. But seeking holiness is more than having a faith relationship with the Lord, it is more than reading the Bible and going to church. Seeking holiness is a barrier against the world, a barrier against it’s draw of filling self with something that will lead to compromise during times of stress, instead of seeking to draw closer to the Lord.
Seeking holiness is our purpose.
Today, I will continue to make a point to seek holiness over managing my inadequacies.
James 1:2-4 (NIV) Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds. Because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance, perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete. Not lacking anything.