What kind of woman are you?

Sometimes we can read the Bible and think, “I’d never do that!” The accounts may seem extreme or difficult to relate to, especially as you journey through the Old Testament.I was recently in 1 Kings. (A chart might have been helpful to keep up with all the different king swapping!) I’m confident I’ll never be a king, or a queen. But behind all the historical accounts, be careful not to miss the truths that are still 100% relevant and important to our welfare today.One of two phrases kept surfacing as each king was described. The king either “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord” or he “did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.” As I kept circling these two contrasting phrases, it occurred to me how we overcomplicate things.Life really might be that simple. We can get all twisted up in our day-to-day affairs and wonder how it will all turn out in the end. In reality, there’s something very defining when we simply ask the question, “Is this right in the eyes of the Lord?” Many of our decisions – both spontaneous and premeditated – could be simplified by applying this question.If you’re like me, you constantly find yourself with a full plate of responsibilities. When you collapse into bed at the end of the day, do you ever wonder if all the motion and commotion is really worth it? As is frequently said, the best way to do God’s will tomorrow is to do God’s will today. Likewise, to be able to live each day and choose what’s pleasing in the eyes of the Lord is how you have a life that’s pleasing to the Lord.Before we nod in agreement and go back to our same ways, consider one other observation. The behavior of a father had huge implications on his son. There are times when a son would break the pattern established by his father. Most frequently, however, you saw that the son replicated the obedience or disobedience of his own father. If you have children or grandchildren, would you want them to replicate your choices? What about your friends? Each and every choice we make is an opportunity to either please God or do evil in His sight.To guard ourselves from intellectual assent, we must make this practical and specific…

• Think back through your last few interactions with others. Did you conduct yourself in a way that was right in the eyes of the Lord?
• Where are you spending the money God’s entrusted to you? Does it lead to evil or is it right in the eyes of the Lord?
• Are you causing others around you to make wise decisions or to compromise?