Weekly Conversation #10

1 KINGS 3:7-9, “And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who can judge this thy so great a people?”.

Sisters, can I share something that has kept me going, by His grace, with us this morning? That’s in 1kings, as we read today.

Now Solomon, he just became king. That’s a big job, big crown, and of course big responsibility.

And this is what he said to God, “God, I’m here. You made me ruler, but I’m too young for this. I’m a mere child. I don’t know the ropes, I hardly know the ins and outs of this job.” I hope you ladies felt the same way I did. Because some of us are “ruling” right now. Some of us are mothers, and we’re in charge of these little lives, and there are days we feel like, “God, there are too many of them. I don’t have a manual.”

Some of us are ministers. God gave you a platform, a department, people who listen to you, and inside you’re thinking, “Lord, I’m a child here. I don’t know how to lead them well.” Just like I felt some time ago and still pray for God's grace daily.

Here’s what I learnt from Solomon, he didn’t pretend. He didn’t say, “God, give me more power.” He said in verse 9, “Give me a God-listening heart, so I can lead your people well. So I can tell the difference between good and evil. Because who on their own is capable of leading your glorious people?”

Sis, see that. He didn’t ask to be perfect. He asked to be listening. Because motherhood without God is just survival. As a mother, a God-listening heart is what you need so that, when your daughter or son is screaming and you’re supposed to correct them with wisdom, you shouldn’t do it in anger. You need to discern, Is this the moment to be firm, or the moment to be soft? And you can't do this on your own.

And ministry, hmmm. Ministry without God is just noise. Because you may be able to preach, but can you discern? Some things look good, but are they God? Some things look hard, but is it right?. How do you tell the difference?. We can't lead God's people on our own vibes. Because if you lead from ego, you’ll scatter them. But if you surely lead with a listening heart, He will lead you.

And oh yes, life too, without God is just guessing.

Solomon asked for a listening heart, not a loud one. So today, if you feel like Solomon, overwhelmed, new, in over your head, “too young for this”.

Please repeat this out loud with me. Just say, “God, I’m here. I’m a child in this. But you put me here. So give me a listening heart. Help me lead well at home, at work, in church, in my own life. Help me lead well where you’ve placed me. Teach me the difference between good and evil, because I can’t on my own. In Jesus ' mighty name, amen.”

You don’t have to know all the ropes today, sis; you do need ears for the One who does. The truth is, none of us are capable on our own. But He alone can help us. And He gives listening hearts to people who admit that they do not know the ropes."

He’s not looking for know-it-all mothers. He’s looking for listening ones. He’s not looking for perfect ministers. He’s looking for listening ones. And if you’re listening, or should I say reading this now, I pray for you that the Lord my God will lead you.

We got this. Because He’s with us.

Blessings