My Part and Yours

1 Chronicles 20-22

We all have a part to play in this drama of life. Your's is different from mine. St. Paul described it as different parts of the same body. We can't all be eyes or ears or hands or feet. There are smaller roles, more prevalent roles, but none more important than another. But for the life drama to come together as God directs it, we have to fulfill our part.

Ever been to a kid's school production? The younger they are, the funnier they are. Sure they are cute and we are proud as parents to see our kids up on stage even if a missed cue or haphazard fall spoils the production. We don't go to see quality theater and we expect mistakes.

But go to a high school theater production and you expect different results. Buy seats at a local community theater, an off broadway production, or an original at a Chicago theater and you expect something much more professional. Here, the roles are clear and when each performs right, the result is excellent.

David's role was to be king of God's people and to prepare the way for the future. He did that by providing everything necessary to build the faith life of Israel, God's chosen, God's children. Sure his focus was about building the Temple, but I see much more than that. Even David noticed it, "My part in this was to put down the enemies, subdue the land to God and his people." David was always a "man after God's own heart." And his reign was about training his people to do the same.

His methods, though, were unusual. As you probably recall from your reading, Israel's faith history was marred with disobedience and rebellion. They went after other gods, made idols, and forsook the simple laws given to them. So it was David's goal to make the nation safe, free from foreign influence (and temptation brought about by their pagan practices) and focused on their God, "I Am." It's why he wanted to build the temple in the first place.

But he recognized that what was most important was to follow God's direction and not just honor God in the way that pleases us most. (There's a whole other lesson in that statement itself!) So look at what David recognized as Solomon's role (and the role of Israel's leaders), "your part is to give yourselves, heart and soul, to praying to your God." (1 Chron. 22:18, Msg)

Solomon was going to build the temple, but the leaders were to give themselves fully to God in prayer. O that we might learn from this as the people of God.

We all have a job to do. And the key to fulfilling it, especially in this time of Lent, is to pray...

...like we never have before.

And we'll see this God directed drama play out just as planned.

Break a leg!

Peace ><>
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