January 22, 2007

king solomon

I have been reading the Bible in chronological order which I have found very interesting. Right after my last posting, I was reading 1 Kings 6-12. Reading of Solomon's palace in 1 Kings 7 made me think of my relative palace. Thoughts of "what excess!!" (note the tone of disgust) swept into my head. What about 95% of the world wondering at my excess??!!

I then went on to read of the temple Solomon built. I can't imagine the opulence! Now, a temple is just a church building where we meet. Back in Bible times, it was home to the Ark of the Covenant, the Most Holy Place, where one communed with God and offered sacrifices - a most holy place. This is what our bodies are now - we are the temple of the living God. Solomon used only the best materials - gold, bronze, cedar - since He knew God is worthy of the best. Our best. Is that how we treat our bodies (soul, mind, heart, gut, brain) and others?

We are called to love and must do so, even when it's not convenient or we find the other person annoying or we would much rather show our love to someone who is easier to love. We are called to love radically and freely. When is the last time I did that? I need to think through decisions I make to see if everyone affected is showered with love, right down to the labourers picking the cocoa beans, the person sewing the seams on my clothing, the person giving their life for my comfort.

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