I hope you're having an awesome week. I missed being with you on Sunday and I'm looking forward to diving back into where James left off with "Living Generously." This week we're going to see how God calls us out of our comfort zones to be generous with our lives. God challenges us and calls us to new directions. I can't wait to see you there!
Thought for the Week
"'Please don't kill my son,' the baby's mother screamed. 'Your Majesty, I love him very much but give him to her. Just don't kill him.'" 1 Kings 3:26
Have you ever read this story about Solomon's wisdom? It's nuts, but it's powerful story. Two mothers of newborns come to Solomon with a dispute. They are both claiming to be the mother of a baby. One mother had accidentally rolled over on her baby and killed it. Now, she was trying to steal this other lady's baby. Of course, this is before DNA test or anything. How do you know who the baby belongs to? Solomon says they should cut the baby in half and brings a sword out. That way, both of them can have a part of the baby. Of course, this solution will not end well. One one woman agrees, but the other woman answers with the line above. Solomon knows, at that point, who the true mother is and gives the baby to her. The true mother would do anything to spare her child, even give the baby up. Solomon creates tension and stress to reveal the truth. Have you ever noticed how tension and stress reveal our true character? When we are under pressure or stress, often our true colors show. Are we callous, angry, selfish, or self-centered? Are we faithful? Do we hit our knees in prayer? Do we look to God? Do we turn inward or do what's best for others? Do we have integrity or try to hide our shortcomings? Do we do what's right or what's easiest?
What tension are you feeling now in life? What is it revealing about your character? The best news is that God wants to continue shaping our character to look more like His so that when the chips are down, when the pressure is on, when the air tenses up...we respond with God's character.
Be blessed and be a blessing!
Carter
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