1 Kings 3:8-14 is about Solomon, but with respect to her life, she was saying that her heart is to serve her God in the place that He has purposed for her. Just like Solomon. Just like us. She longed for a wise and discerning heart, as should we. She was 78 and her heart was still beating with a desire to serve. Serving but not for her own benefit, rather for the good of others and God’s glory.
And that is how she approached studying this book.
Acknowledging God and understanding her place before Him. Actually, it’s a great place for anyone to start. I suppose the best place to start this is with comments about what an awesome student of the Word my mom was. Both she and Don would spend hours combing the Bible in search of its truths. I still remember seeing Don at the kitchen table late at night, even after an exhausting day at work, with his Bible and reference books out. Mom was the same. The Word shaped their thinking and their doing. That is not to say she didn't struggle with the flesh- she did - just like the rest of us mortals. But it was clear that the Spirit of God inhabited her heart and her love for God framed her living.
Thinking about it today, giving Mom a copy of "The Purpose Driven Life" was like giving a copy of "Jesus Loves Me" to one of the great hymn writers like Martin Luther or Charles Wesley or Isaac Watts. That may be a slight exaggeration, but you get the point. When I gave the book to her, she had been a Christian for 34 years - had led many to Christ - discipled many more. It was a nice gesture, but I really didn't think, given where she was in her walk with Jesus, that she would learn anything from it. WRONG!
The truth is that we will never stop learning. God is too deep. His wisdom is too vast for us to get it all in one lifetime. Not until we see Jesus face to face. Maybe!
(1 Peter 1:10-12) "Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things."
Not even the angels know and understand everything in Heaven.
OK back to the book. When I opened it, before I even got to the first page of the first chapter, I could see that she was already engaged.
As I pointed out earlier, on the inside cover she quoted;
Colossians 1:16 - God is sovereign
1 Kings 3:8-14 - We need wise and discerning hearts.
And on the page right before the title page she quoted;
Philippians 4:8 - Think on the right things and the peace of God will be with you
Philippians 3:14-19 - Press on toward the goal. (The name of my Devotional BLOG is Pressing On - I did not know there was a connection until now)
Philippians 3:20 - Our citizenship is in heaven.
And that is the context that she would use as she read the Purpose Driven Life. She wasn't even on the first page of text yet. Her approach gives me some idea about how I should approach everything that I do. Always mindful of who God is and who I am. That is the attitude we should all have as we live out this life.
I was just thinking about how many times I have taught a class and it was obvious that the people in the class had spent no time in preparation. When they had workbooks, they were blank. Not a smudge of ink. Disappointing? Yes. But more, I was saddened that they did not see personal study as important. Those are the same ones who will wonder why their faith doesn't seem to help. I can hardly wait to share the nuggets I have found and the blessings that she left behind.
So hang on - there is more to come!
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