Today's readings are 1 Samuel 10.1-27 and Acts 2.17-29.
We have seen how Saul's appointment as king came as a surprise to him. It seems to have come as a surprise to other people as well. He didn't tell his parents. Some of the people who were present for Saul's anointing mocked him. He was not already a popular leader. He was not recognized as a judge or a prophet. Yet Samuel pointed out to Saul ahead of time that God had orchestrated the whole situation in order to make Saul the king.
What are we to make of it when we find ourselves in places of authority that we did not seek, didn't necessarily desire, for which we don't have a whole lot of training, and in which we are not universally welcomed? Through Samuel, God gave Saul directives. He told Saul what he was to do as king. As long as Saul was faithful to those instructions he would be a good king, a blessing to the people. When Saul stopped following the instructions God had given him he ceased to be a blessing to the people.
How has our Lord directed us in our vocation? Do we shy away from the God who has appointed us to our position? Do we fear to do our work as the outstretched hand of the resurrected Lord? Do we think we are here on our own, rather than living day by day in the presence of the same Lord who said he would never leave us or forsake us? When we disregard the Lord's provision for us we find ourselves as ineffective leaders at best. At worst we fall into disfavor and shame. We may bring harm rather than good to those we serve.
How has the Lord directed us? Let us trust he will give us grace to walk in those directions for the good of our neighbor and the glory of God.
We have seen how Saul's appointment as king came as a surprise to him. It seems to have come as a surprise to other people as well. He didn't tell his parents. Some of the people who were present for Saul's anointing mocked him. He was not already a popular leader. He was not recognized as a judge or a prophet. Yet Samuel pointed out to Saul ahead of time that God had orchestrated the whole situation in order to make Saul the king.
What are we to make of it when we find ourselves in places of authority that we did not seek, didn't necessarily desire, for which we don't have a whole lot of training, and in which we are not universally welcomed? Through Samuel, God gave Saul directives. He told Saul what he was to do as king. As long as Saul was faithful to those instructions he would be a good king, a blessing to the people. When Saul stopped following the instructions God had given him he ceased to be a blessing to the people.
How has our Lord directed us in our vocation? Do we shy away from the God who has appointed us to our position? Do we fear to do our work as the outstretched hand of the resurrected Lord? Do we think we are here on our own, rather than living day by day in the presence of the same Lord who said he would never leave us or forsake us? When we disregard the Lord's provision for us we find ourselves as ineffective leaders at best. At worst we fall into disfavor and shame. We may bring harm rather than good to those we serve.
How has the Lord directed us? Let us trust he will give us grace to walk in those directions for the good of our neighbor and the glory of God.
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Dave Spotts
blogging at http://capnsaltyslongvoyage.blogger.com
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