To Summarize...

While vacationing, I read a book that many friends and loved ones have recommended, and it challenged me in a way that only God's Word has previously.

The book, "Crazy Love," by Francis Chan, does a pretty good job of explaining what it actually means to be pursued by a relentless God--and in turn, what it might look like if we, as his children, could grasp the depth, breadth and height of not only His love for us, but also His purity and holiness.

The scriptures that continue my chronological journey through the Bible today are 1 Chronicles 26-29, and Psalm 127. The passages explain the duties assigned to specific people near the end of King David's life and the eventual passing of the leadership torch to his son, Solomon.

I'm particularly fascinated by the way David's reign is summarized in
1 Chronicles 29: 26-28 So David son of Jesse reigned over all Israel. 27 He reigned over Israel for forty years, seven of them in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem. 28 He died at a ripe old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth, and honor. Then his son Solomon ruled in his place.

All of the prior details we've covered including the trials, terrors, tragedies and troubles of David's life are seemingly forgotten-- and only the good is recorded in the summary, which brings me to why I mentioned "Crazy Love" earlier. Francis Chan reminded me in the book that when this life ends, it's pretty definite that there will be a nice memorial service where nice things are said about me--but at that point, it won't matter. The only thing that will matter is Who I've served, and how that impacted the way my time was spent--what I invested in--who I invested in--what I was passionate about.

Scripture explains that we cannot serve two masters in Matthew 6:24. It also says that we are either for or against THE Lord in Luke 11:23. When we meet Him face to face, the only summary of our lives that counts will be how we responded to the compelling, overwhelming love of Christ and whether we said, "Yes," or "No," to His call for us to take up our cross and follow Him. Have you said yes, yet? I have, and there is no question more pressing, no decision more urgent, and no reason to delay.