Have you ever found yourself driving down the highway, knowing you’ll need to turn soon but a little unsure of where or when? You see an exit up ahead and it’s coming fast. Is it the right one? You think so, so at that last moment you swerve to catch it, almost flipping your car and causing a thirteen-car pile up behind you.
But no worries, you got your road. Or so you think.

Wait! Where’s that one tree shaped like a windmill? Isn’t this road supposed to turn left? A stifled panic mixes with irritation as you begin to realize the mistake. Great. Now you’re stuck and going the wrong way with no hope for a turn about for another 31.5 miles.

Oops. Your snap decision has landed you in a frustrating situation with little hope of instant recovery. Your actions didn’t match your intentions.

In I Chronicles 28:9-10 we find King David charging or cautioning his son Solomon on this very thing. King David knew his son was called to play an amazing part in the kingdom of God. He was to begin the incredible journey, or task, of building the temple of God. David understood something very important—he understood this decision was something that could NOT be made lightly or in a “moment”.

“And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house as the sanctuary. Be strong and do the work” (I Chronicles 28:9-10).

King David was trying to convey a very important message to his son; one he knew Solomon wouldn’t survive without. That no matter how dedicated his father had been, no matter how dedicated his mother had been, no matter how much his surroundings had believed in him, the choice was all left to Solomon.

And so David urged him, “Acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind.” And then he said, “For the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought”.

You see, it wasn’t enough for Solomon to have the right actions; for him to “serve.” Solomon had to have a willing mind and heart. The actions were needed to accomplish the job, but true devotion to the cause and a true heart were what the Lord was seeking.

The Lord promises us in Scripture, that if we seek Him, He will be found. But King David also cautioned his son, “But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.” He says “Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house as the sanctuary. Be strong and do the work.”

A time comes when we are required to decide. When our choice must be more than a decision made in the heat of the moment, a thought carried through to action, a commitment made with a foggy mind and no plans beyond the moment.

There will come a moment when the Lord will hold us accountable, not just by our actions, but also by the thoughts and intents of our heart.

Consider this now, for you have been chosen. Will you be strong and do the work?

Olivia Dummer is a student in Blue Springs, Missouri where Steve Smith is her pastor. She writes and keeps an inspirational blog hoping to encourage others and share what she’s learned about God.