Monuments

I appreciate the many ways that God uses to get my attention when I need a course correction. Lately I have felt a distance from Him and this morning He used the story in my daily devotional to show me where I needed to change. The amazing part is that the message is a continuation in my studies, but it fits perfectly with where I am in my daily walk with Him. That is Godly orchestration.

The message today was about the death of Absalom and the last verse was in 2 Samuel 18:18 which reads, “During his lifetime Absalom had taken a pillar and erected it in the King’s Valley as a monument to himself, for he thought, “I have no son to carry on the memory of my name.” He named the pillar after himself, and it is called Absalom’s Monument to this day.”

Throughout his life Absalom had been about Absalom. Yes he cared deeply for his sister who had been deeply wronged by her brother Amnon, but he took matters into his own hands again an again which resulted in a very self absorbed life.

When he didn’t get what he wanted he often resorted to the extremes. One time when Joab, the general of the army, didn’t respond to him he set his field on fire to get his attention. He wanted attention from his father and when he didn’t receive it he decided to take his father’s kingdom from him.

When he died his body was thrown into a pit and covered with rocks as a traitor. The monument that he had erected for himself carried no value.

What really caught my attention was the prayer that was offered at the end of the bible study:

“Father, I do not want to be the kind of person who is absorbed with myself, my accomplishments, or my problems. Teach me to center myself in You and focus on healthy service to others. It is not enough for me to humble myself for one day (Isaiah 58:5) You desire humility to be a lifestyle characteristic.” (Beth Moore – David)

I focus a lot on my problems or rather my busyness. Several times this last week I found myself complaining about the “tire kickers” or people who waste my time with repeated requests and have no intention of buying anything. Often I became frustrated and prepare the quotes with the wrong attitude.

That mindset is the same as creating a monument to myself. I had begun thinking that my time was just that, my time. The truth is that whether I am just sitting at my desk or re-pricing a tour for the fourth time, I am paid the same. My time at the office is for serving others regardless of how many times the same request is made.

A person after God’s own heart should have the mindset to do everything as if doing it for God. I haven’t been doing that and I’m grateful for the correction.

I heard a song by Casting Crowns the other day that says:

I don’t want to leave a legacy
I don’t care if they remember me
Only Jesus
And I, I’ve only got one life to live
I’ll let every second point to Him
Only Jesus

What a contrast between Absalom and the words of that song. I have a monument to tear down and an opportunity to choose a life that points to Jesus.

My Prayer

Father, thank you for Your timely correction and the beautiful way You have done it with Your word. Please forgive my selfish attitude and complaining. You have placed me in a position of service and I pray that I will serve with a loving heart. A heart that is focused on You and doing all that I do as if it is for You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Where does my help come from?

Colossians 3:23-24

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”