Are You Supposed to Do It? By Lisa Burkhardt Worley, D.Min.
We can occasionally take on projects for the wrong reasons. Maybe it’s a prestigious opportunity, or it’s an outreach that can help a lot of people. But did God tell you to do it?
While reading about the end of King David’s life, David summoned all the officials of Israel to share some final words and admitted that he wanted to build a house for God where the ark of the covenant would rest, but God said “no” because David was a man of war and had shed blood. Instead, David’s son, Solomon, would become king and would build the house for God. According to 1 Chronicles 28, David received his no after he had already drawn up the blueprints for the building.
Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for the portico of the temple, its buildings, its storerooms, its upper parts, its inner rooms, and the place of atonement. He gave him the plans of all that the Spirit had put in his mind for the courts of the temple of the LORD and the surrounding rooms, for the treasures of the temple of God, and for the treasures for the dedicated things (1 Chronicles 28:11-12, NIV).
David had the vision and had come up with every detail, but it was not his job to complete. It is admirable that David turned over all his hard work to his son on a silver platter. Not only did he relinquish the plans, but he also encouraged Solomon to take on this mammoth project, saying, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished” (1 Chronicles 28:20).
It’s difficult to let go of dreams, but when God tells us not to do something, He will not grant success if we stubbornly proceed.
Next week, I will be taking a few days to be quiet and lay all of my work before the LORD. I will be praying that He will show me what should be released and what should remain as I move forward in ministry. What about you? Are you listening for God’s instructions, or are you moving forward with something that was never intended for you to oversee? Spend some time in His presence to hear His plan for your life.
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