1 Chronicles 28 & Management

This morning, as I was sipping my coffee, I was combing through my morning devotions and time of meditation.

Presently, I am in a hotel and have an interview in a few hours. This week has been full of interviewing, praise God! Being questioned in interviews all week has proven to hold its share of exhaustion, but it also has brought my mind to hone in on what it is I want to do- what I am skilled at and what I enjoy doing.

So with that on my heart and mind, 1 Chronicles 27 and 28 was read with a different filter. I noticed that David appointed specific people to steward a wide variety of King David's property. The account bothers to take note of each person's name, origin, and what they were "over," listing it in detail.

I find this juxtaposition interesting, because while David has all of these men managing different aspects of his kingdom, we see a shift in chapter 28.

In chapter 28, David gathers all of the officials, tribes, officers of the divisions, commanders of hundreds and thousands, stewards of property and livestock, palace officials, mighty men and seasoned warriors for an announcement. This meeting is about to be a BIG deal! And what does David say? In verses 2-3 he says, "Hear me, my brothers and my people. I had it in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord and for the footstool of our God, and I made preparations for building. But God said to me, 'You may not build a house for my name, for you are a man of war and have shed blood.'" The King admits to his nation a)the desire of his own heart and b)the prophetic confirmation that he had to pass on his dream and desire on to his son, Solomon. He goes on to expand on the direction and vision of the rebuilding of the temple, but as I read this passage, I could not help but imagine what it must have felt like to lay this dream down at God's feet. Especially with all of the pressure of his officers and officials. These people have followed his lead, and have likely seen him doing all of the preparations for the rebuilding of the temple, expecting him to be the one to rebuild it.

In the previous chapter, it is like we as readers are primed to notice that King David did not do it all. He allowed other people to help him manage the kingdom. I think in life, I have learned little by little that- gosh, I can't do it all! But we are all stewards. I believe that. Stewards of SOMETHING. I think back to Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. God, from the beginning, put us in charge of something. Caring for something (or someone) beyond ourselves is inherent to us as part of the reflection of God that we are in this Creation. We were made to steward things, to manage what is given to us. What is it you are called to manage? Does it look different this season that it did in previous seasons?

When asking ourselves what it is that we manage, I think the discernment from the Holy Spirit comes into play. As we ask what we should set our mind to and where we need to place our energy for the day, I find it particularly beneficial to also ask myself, "What am I not called to manage?" In seasons of transition, it is especially important for me to sit down and ask myself if in fact, God is asking me to lay something down that I once carried. Just like David, sometimes we have a burning passion for something- a cause, a project, or a development in our life or the life of someone that we love- and we are called to carry that for a time.

Wisdom knows that life is not cookie cutter. Even in the Bible, time and time again, I have seen people or nations do "what worked before" instead of asking God for guidance. Friend, can I encourage you- God wants to intimately walk with you. He wants to SPECIFICALLY guide your heart and your steps. I know it seems more secure to do what you've seen done before, but if you are called to forge a path or take a leap of faith, the most important and most secure assurance you can find is in the voice of God Almighty.

Learning to discern the voice and will of God for our lives is simple, but hard. We don't get it "right" all of the time. But God in His sovereignty has a way of bringing us exactly where we need to be, in full grace and full Providence. So take a breath, and lean in.

God, thank you that you GUIDE us. You answer us when we call out to you. Thank you that you care to see us, and that you have made us in your image. Help us to steward what you have given to us, to do it well and with wisdom that does not cling to the security of an assignment more than what you have for us in this present day. May we have the grace and strength to release, just as much as to receive  Through Jesus Christ's resurrection and ascension, you modeled this for us. You modeled this in the way you led your people, Israel, as well. Thank you for going before us. Thank you for being our strength in every season, every transition.

Love to you all as I personally transition & ask God for courage to live this out myself!
Melly xoxo