Today's post invites you to explore a sensitive topic because our spiritual and relational well-being depends on it: the importance of minding our own business!

This topic came up as I was reading 2 Chronicles two weeks ago. As a setup for King Josiah's story, I'd like to share some Bible nerd stuff and provide some background context, as I thoroughly enjoy it. If you want to skip this part, scroll down to where you see the "TL/DR." This stands for "Too Long, Didn't Read," and it's a way of letting people know you've summarized information if they don't have a lot of time to read.

Bible Nerd Stuff: The Old Testament book of 2 Chronicles covers the kings of Judah. The book is similar to 1 and 2 Kings, but it provides a wealth of information about the priests in 2 Chronicles. When a king is introduced, there's a repeating cadence: his name, his age, how long he reigned, and whether he did what was pleasing or evil in God's sight. Unfortunately, there were many evil kings. Bummer.

Some kings did what was pleasing in God's sight, like Judah's King Hezekiah. He began his reign at twenty-five years old and sat on the throne for twenty-nine years. His story is told in 2 Chronicles 29-32 (also 2 Kings 16:20-20:21). If you've been longing for revival and would love to read about what a revival could look like, read Hezekiah's story in 2 Chronicles 29-31. I was so inspired!

Another king, Josiah, came to the throne at the age of eight. If you're familiar with the Old Testament, you might be thinking, "What? Wasn't there another young king of Judah?" Yes. King Joash was seven years old when he came to the throne. (He'd been hidden away as an infant because his grandmother, Queen Athaliah, killed all of the other family members. She might be the Bible's only mention of a toxic grandma.) King Joash ruled from 835 to 796 BC. We're discussing King Josiah, who ruled 150 years later, from 640 to 609 B.C.

King Josiah's story is introduced in 2 Chronicles 22 (also 2 Kings 22). He reigned for 31 years and did what was pleasing to God. He reintroduced the Book of the Law to the Israelites, actually reading it to them himself. If you read both accounts of his reign, Josiah also brought revival to God's people, which was truly remarkable.

Then, something unfortunate happens. In 2 Chronicles 35:20, King Josiah and his army march out to fight King Neco of Egypt. Wars between countries were as common as mosquitoes in summer; however, King Neco was on his way to fight another nation, not Judah. Here's what he said:

"What do you want with me, King of Judah? I have not quarreled with you today! I am on my way to fight another nation, and God has told me to hurry! Do not interfere with God, who is with me, or he will destroy you." - 2 Chronicles 35:21 NLT

Now, this should have been over. King Josiah should have been relieved. "Whew! Not my circus, not my monkeys. Since, this problem doesn't have my name on it, I should go home and leave this alone."

Unfortunately, King Josiah does not listen. 2 Chronicles 35:22-23 confirms King Neco was speaking the truth. God told him to tell King Josiah to mind his own business. Still, Josiah ignored the Egyptian king. Then, he goes one step further. King Josiah disguised himself and led his army into battle. An arrow hits him, and he dies back in Jerusalem.

Now, that's tragic. A good king who lived a life pleasing to God ended up dying because he inserted himself where he had no business.

That'll preach, won't it?

Has anyone ever said to you, "Hey, mind your own business!" or "Can you please stay out of this and let me handle it?"

Maybe it's just me, but I felt an unsettling chill prickling down my spine as I read that story. I remembered times when someone said "Back off, Barb," and I was so sure that I was right, so I kept making my case or pleading my opinion. I may not have physically died as a consequence, but there were relational wounds that I felt deep in my soul. Some of those healed scars still ache from time to time, even now.

TL/DR:  How can we avoid King Josiah's mistake? I want to share one practical takeaway for today. If you've read Stronger Than Stress or done my Surrendered Bible study, this will be a great reminder! Here we go:

Keep Your Eyes On Your Own Hula Hoop

Only one person can fit inside a hula hoop. If there is more than one, the hula hoop won't work. You can't work someone else's hula hoop, only yours. I'm not talking about children under 18 years old; I'm referring to adults who should be responsible for themselves. If they aren't being accountable for themselves, it's not your job to fix that. Remember: Jesus saves; we can't.

Your job is to keep your eyes on your own hula hoop. Frankly, some of us aren't hula-hooping well. Your hula hoop is your time with God, your spiritual discipline, and your stewardship of your body (including sleeping, healthy eating, and exercise). Our hands are full just managing ourselves, so we're messing up ourselves and someone else when we're minding their business instead of ours.

Let's pray this together: God, today, help me keep my eyes on my own hula hoop. I surrender the situations that I can't change or control. I trust You have everything and everyone under your control. Amen.

I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU: This one may have stepped on some toes, but I pray that you receive this with all of the love and care that I have for you. Let me know if God used today's blog to minister to you. If this post was for you, comment and say, "Hula hoop."