It was just before I was to go into my last year of seminary at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota.  My husband and I were debating when we should try to put the house on the market.  We had decided to wait until we returned in the Spring.  However, one evening I received a phone call on my cell from an unknown caller asking me if I would be interested in selling our house.  Within 30 days, we had moved out of our house.  I knew then without a shadow of a doubt, God was calling me somewhere else to do ministry.

In 1 Kings 5:1-12, Solomon, King David’s son, is now the new king of Israel, following his father’s death.  The Lord favored him greatly and gave him ‘wisdom’ over God’s people.  God had told him that he was to build a Temple for the Lord God.  Solomon heard his instructions and once he had gained peace on all sides, he began the construction for the Temple.  God continued to bless Solomon and give him wisdom to rule His people.  The construction began with cedars and cypress timbers (v.8).  I wonder if Solomon even knew how to build a Temple?

Obeying and hearing God’s voice is not easy.  It takes discipline and the willingness to open our hearts to hear.  Solomon loved God with all his heart and God spoke to him.  I wonder how many times God tries to reach out to us and we just aren’t paying attention?  Selling our home with no game plan in sight was risky and scary!  What is God calling each one of us to do today?

Let us pray…God, help us to open our hearts to your voice and give us the willingness to do what you want us to do.  Give us the courage to be willing to drop what we are doing so that we do nothing but your will – no matter how hard it may be.  In your name we pray.  Amen.