“David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.”
1 Chronicles 28:20 NIV
Do the work.
What work? How? What is my work to do and what is not my work to do?
Has there ever been something you have been passionate about and really wanted to do, and weren’t able to do it? I always wanted to be a worship leader. When I worked on staff at a church, I would dream about the day the worship Pastor would call me and tell me that he couldn’t make it to church and he needed me to step in and lead worship. It never happened. For good reason…I do not have the voice to lead others in worship. Trust me. I always wanted singing to be a talent of mine, but it is not. I love to worship. I love blaring my music as I’m driving and singing. I will not be leading worship, however.
King David had a strong desire and passion to build a temple for his God. He heard from God the very difficult message that God did not want him to. We all have unmet desires. We all have disappointments. We all have things that we have longed for that we will never experience, see or have. What do we do? David shared his passion with his son and told him to do the work. David did his work and encouraged and supported Solomon to do his work.
I have never been blessed with Children. I have wanted children, but I have never married and had the opportunity to have children. There have been seasons when it was hard and sad and painful. There have been seasons when I have celebrated the freedom and traveled and got lots of sleep. I also decided I was going to support my friends in the work they are doing by being an Auntie to their kids.
As we do our work…not another’s work…God has promised to be with us, support us, provide for us and never leave us. His presence doesn’t take away the hurt and pain of unmet desires. The presence of God is powerful and comforting and necessary for life and I am grateful He is that kind of God.
Dear God, Thank you for being the kind of God that is near. The kind of God that doesn’t grow weary of being present. Thank you for giving us a work to do. Meet us in our sadness and grief when the work we deeply desire is not ours to do. Help us find meaning and purpose in the work that is before us. Amen.
Mandy
Sixty-six books in a year 
Awesome post. Thank you.
Dave
I’ve read this a number of times in the past month. Keeping it handy. Thank you.