Life Is Messy

2 Samuel 13:21-22 (the message)
King David heard the whole story and was enraged, but he didn’t discipline Amnon. David doted on him because he was his firstborn. Absalom quit speaking to Amnon–not a word, whether good for bad–because he hated him for violating his sister Tamar.

Just typing that makes me tired mentally.

Sheesh!

I started feeling dazed and confused from all the happenings:

–David and Bathsheba’s son conceived in adultery dies

–David and Bathsheba give birth to another son

–David’s son Amnon gets the hots for his half-sister, Tamar (Gross)

–Amnon tricks Tamar into coming over then rapes her

–Although David is “enraged” he does nothing about it

(Here we have a peak at boundary/discipline issue in the family!)

–After two years Absalom, Tamar’s other brother, murders Amnon

–Absalom runs away

–Absalom is allowed to return home but not see or speak to his father

–Absalom grows so bitter he plans to attack David and take over

And that, my friends, is chapters 13-15.

So I’m sitting on my porch thinking,  what happened to David?

My heart hears, Life.

Okay. Wow. Now that is encouraging!

Okay, then. But what is Your answer? What do You have to say?

I flip over to Proverbs (interesting side note: David and Bathsheba’s second son, Solomon, wrote  Proverbs!) and my heart settles, lightens if you will, here:

Keep vigilant watch over your heart;
that’s where life starts.
Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth;
avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip.
Keep your eyes straight ahead;
ignore all sideshow distractions.
Watch your step,
and the road will stretch out smooth before you.
Look neither right nor left;
leave evil in the dust.
Proverbs 4:23-27, the message

I picture David, young and enthusiastic about the future, tending his sheep and writing songs on hillsides. Destiny beckons and he runs to meet it full-on…battles a giant, a king and the wilderness in the name of his God. Eventually David settles into adulthood…responsibilities…realities that define life in between the life-defining moments.

He has a family. Wives and children and a kingdom. The call and destiny are stretching out in and before him like well-chewed gum. His flaws are exposed. Perhaps he is too tired or lazy to deal wisely in family matters. Perhaps he really just doesn’t know how.

I don’t know how things got so messy for David. I’m just glad I know.

So what can we do? To avoid a mess or grow as we go?

Keep watch over our hearts…what goes in, what takes up space, what grows there.

Ignore distractions…situations and people are often used to draw our eyes and attention away from Jesus.

Watch our step…pay attention to the road we travel, who with travel with and what direction we are headed. Recalibrate when necessary.

Look neither right nor left…stay on course. Leave evil not just behind, but in the dust! High-tail it out of there!

Hope and change come as we ask Jesus to clean out and guard our hearts. As we lock eyes with the King of Kings and keep it steady. As we read His Word and believe He keeps His promises because of His goodness, not ours.

If life seems chaotic and messy (it feels that way for everyone sometimes!) be encouraged. You are not alone! The steady for your storm is reaching out His hand. The clean-up for your mind-clutter is waiting, broom in hand. The GPS in your heart is ready to recalibrate, you are never truly lost.

And smile! Your son probably does not want to date his sister!