WHAT SHOULD YOU BE DOING?

We live in a world filled with limitless distractions: things that tug at our attention: news, sports, the Internet, books, urgent matters at work, urgent matters at home. And you don't have to have Attention Deficit Disorder to fall victim to the ceasless volleys sent to keep you from doing the "important" things in life.

Let's take a look at King's David's life:

Then it happened in the spring, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him and all Israel, and they destroyed the sons of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem (2Sa 11:1-27).

If you go on to read the rest of the story, you know that this ultimately ends in deep turmoil for David and Bathsheba, and death for Uriah.

David's sin with Bathsheba could have been avoided if he had been doing what he was supposed to be doing: "in the spring, at the time when kings go out to do battle." The king was not supposed to have idle time on his hands. He let himself get distracted.

War is an ugly business, make no mistake. It's brutal. Perhaps David didn't want to face more of that trauma. Maybe he was sick of war. Nonetheless, it was his job — no one else's.

The sin that eternally marred David's reign could have been avoided entirely if he had stayed on target and done what kings were supposed to do. His inaction opened the door to transgression.

As you go about your noble plans, make sure that you are doing what you are supposed to be doing — even if it is distasteful. Don't let yourself get distracted. Don't let yourself fall prey to all the possibilities the world has to offer to derail you and keep you off plan. Ultimately, keeping your obligations as righteous men and women of God is much more fulfilling — but more than that — it's just the right thing to do.

(Painting of King David and Uriah by Richard Serrin)

"A noble man devises noble plans; and by noble plans he stands."
– Isaiah 32:8