More Like David

I am currently reading through the Old Testament. Although I've read through the books of the New Testament multiple times, this is the first time I've read some of the books in the Old Testament. It is crazy how much I'm learning. I always thought the stories in the OT just didn't really apply and that I couldn't learn much from them, but I was so wrong! I feel like I'm learning a whole new side to the God I thought I knew. I recommend reading it if you haven't yet.

I am currently about halfway through II Samuel. I love the Samuels, so far anyway. It's been like an epic story filled with war, heroes, betrayal, and even romance. Polygamist romance, but still. David sure did love the ladies...

Anyway.

The other day I read II Samuel 6. I've read it before, but it hit me with knew meaning this time. You can read it here if you are interested.

The chapter starts when David and all of his people are celebrating because the Ark of God is being brought into Jerusalem.

David was so wrapped up in his excitement and praise that he started dancing crazily, wearing almost nothing. I can just imagine what he must have looked like: the man that all of these people look up to, dancing around like a crazy man. Like he had lost his mind!

Michal, one of David's wives, was watching all of this go on from a window. According to the NIV, as she watched him, she "despised him in her heart." (verse 16).

So Michal was sitting at home, stewing in her anger while David was out. When he returned home, he was not exactly met with the most pleasant welcome. Michal was furious that David had been dancing around so scantily clad in front of the servant's slave girls, "as any vulgar fellow would!" (verse 20). And more than anything, I think she was simply embarrassed to see her husband acting that way.

And I just love David's response to her in verse 21 and 22:

"It was before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father [as a side note, Michal's father was Saul, and if you remember, Saul and David had sort of a love-hate relationship with lots of drama] or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the Lord's people Israel - I will celebrate before the Lord. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor."

I especially like the part where he says he will become even more undignified and humiliated in his own eyes.

Today I want to be more like David. Well, the David portrayed in this chapter, anyway. If you know anything about David, I'm sure you can think of at least a few ways that one should not be like him. Haha! Anyway, I love that David just totally lost himself here. He was so filled with priase for the Lord that he literally lost control of his body, and didn't seem to feel self-conscious about it at all!

How many times have I wanted to go to the alter on Sunday mornings, but have been afraid that everyone will find out that I don't have it all together? How many times have I wanted to share more about the Lord with friends and co-workers, but I've been too afraid of their response, or of what they'll think of me? How many times have I pushed aside radical ideas or stirrings in my heart, because I'm afraid that I will fail, or will look stupid?

Too many. Way too many times. And that's just the tip of the iceburg.

God calls us to be like David here. He wants us to lose ourselves in Him.

This chapter has been such a great challenge to me; to let there be less of me, and more of Him. I hope it challenges you today too.

And it it doesn't, just look at what the next verse says, after David responds to Michal:

Verse 23: "And Michal daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death."

Wow. This tells me how serious God is about this issue! Aside from being completely cut off from the Lord, losing husband, or losing my family, being unable to EVER have children is the worst punishment I could ever imagine. For me, anyway.

So according to that verse, along with being like David, it is also my goal to NOT be like Michal! Yikes, to be honest, this verse scared me a little bit when I read it!

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And this has absolutely nothing to do with what I just wrote about, but I thought I would officially announce that I am going to take another stab at Project 365 next year! I made it all the way to May or June last year, and had a lot of fun with it, but somehow lost my motivation sometime during the lazy days of summer. This year I plan to stick to it, all year long!

To get ready, I've been trying to get in the habit of taking some pictures everyday. So here are just a few from yesterday, just for fun (because I know posts just aren't as much fun without pictures!)

These were taken on my walk to church yesterday. I love walking to church in the snow! And this is what my world has looked like for almost a week now. In fact, I had a 2-hour delay this morning, and it's been snowing nonstop ever since. It's beautiful! And I love that Luke and I have nothing going on tonight, and can enjoy it from our warm, cozy house!

And some pictures I took at church, while I was bored between services. (It was my Sunday to work at the children's checkpoint, and that involves lots of down-time).

The Advent candles! What a great reminder of what this season is REALLY about.

Happy Monday!