Well Ordered 


“So Solomon made sure that all the work related to building the Temple of the Lord was carried out, from the day its foundation was laid to the day of its completion.”

‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭8:16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Solomon began his reign with clear orders from his father, David: build the temple. David provided the plan and the resources – Solomon just had to do it. For years Solomon dedicated himself to this cause and saw it through to completion. The NKJV phrases it this way: “Now all the work of Solomon was well-ordered.”

The beauty of facing a task like Solomon did in building the Temple is the direction it gave him. Goals and plans are like that. They set us on a path and give us something to focus on. Sure – we might fail, we might be delayed – but we have a strong and compelling WHY with a clear goal and a plan to back it up, we’ll see it through more often than not. Sure -there might be delays or failures or obstacles along the way, but the combination of the why and the goal will keep us moving forward. 

When I think of Solomon, I’ve often thought first of his shortcomings – specifically that his heart eventually turns from the Lord. (It’s the “J” part of my personality – INTJ.) Maybe that’s why I’ve had a question in the back of my mind for the last several days: So what next? 

I don’t know how to describe the feeling but there’s often a restlessness I feel as I end a “season” or calling. While I usually feel enormous satisfaction and an overwhelming sense of accomplishment, I also begin to feel anxious thinking about the end. The assignment gives me identity and purpose while I’m in it – so what will I do, where will I find purpose next? I often start asking G-d before a season ends what’s next for me. Maybe it’s my personality – I function better with a clear goal or a task before me. I need a vision to keep aiming for. 

So what is next? Well – for Solomon, his heart eventually turns away as we’ll read in the days ahead. I do wonder if it turned away because his heart was so focused on the “work” itself and not the Person. Or could it be because he no longer had a compelling why and a clear goal? I’ll never know. 

But for me, for you, what’s next? What are we doing today and what will we do tomorrow to build His Kingdom, His “Temple” on earth? Christianity is not – and cannot be – complacent. As a follower of Christ, I’m called to love Him first, my neighbor second – as myself, and to make disciples. My primary disciples are Randal and Alathia. Perhaps that’s why I’m restless- that season is coming to a swift end and I am having all kinds of feelings about it. I’m starting to navigate the end of that chapter – I see the shoreline in sight – and I’m scared. The good news for me is that He knows the answer to the question rattling within my heart – so what next? – And I can trust Him completely. He will answer in His time. 

Father- thank You for Your Word and how You speak day after day. Your Word never fails. Settle my heart to end well. Give grace where I’ve failed Randal and Alathia. You love them far more than I do. You are good and You keep doing good. Your leadership in my life is perfect and You can be trusted. Amen. 

Daily Reading: 1 Kings 9, 2 Chronicles 8

June 15, 2022