by Sarah Knight

When I first read this passage, I’ll admit thinking, “Umm...this is kind of harsh.” God basically says to Solomon, stick with me and everything will be really, really good; but if you stray away, watch your back! But then I also think that if I was Solomon, I would stay on the straight and narrow because God warned me that if I didn’t, I’d become an object of mockery and ridicule among other nations. It’s a fair warning. Spoiler Alert: If you read ahead like me (I always read the end of my books first because I like to know what I’m getting into), you know that Solomon couldn’t stay away from the women, many of whom worshiped false Gods, and it eventually lead to his downfall.

God made amazing promises to Solomon, but there were also conditions and consequences and they were there for a reason. I’ve been a runner since as long as I can remember; it just came naturally to me. I ran cross country and track from junior high all the way through college, but now I don’t have a coach to tell me when to run, or how fast and how long. I feel the best when I’m running regularly, but I get off track pretty easily. Any excuse will do: it’s too cold, it’s too hot, I’m tired, I can’t find my sneakers, I ate too much for dinner, I think my knee is bothering me. All the while I know that I will be healthier and happier if I kick myself out the door and just do it. So before I know it, I’ve gotten off track and I haven’t run in two weeks and I feel lazy and puffy.

I do the same with reading my Bible, I’m on track for a while and then I get off my schedule. All of the sudden, I’m snippy with my husband, impatient at work, and I have an all around bad attitude. So I guess both Solomon and I can relate to the apostle Paul when he says, “I do the things that I don’t want to do and don’t do the things that I know I should” (paraphrase). Do a little spiritual evaluation today. Ask yourself, “Am I off track and feeling the consequences?” If so, you’re in luck—God is a God of grace, so crack that Bible open and get back on track!

Your fellow traveler,
Sarah