The right packaging...

        I would like to continue a bit with the post from last week entitled, “Did you miss it?” Just to recap briefly, the prophet Samuel had gone to Bethlehem to choose a king from among one of Jesse’s sons. Although David was not present initially at the ceremony, he did not miss his God-assigned opportunity and he was eventually anointed the new king of Israel (1 Samuel 16:1-13).
         What catches my attention with this story is the whole process of choosing the right candidate. As soon as Eliab, the eldest, came before Samuel, he was quick to think that this must be the one. Possibly Eliab’s physical stature reminded him of king Saul and he was therefore quick to assume that the new king would resemble the old one. But, here God was quick to correct him. God’s choice for a king was different to man’s choice. God was looking at the heart not the outward appearance. When David finally came forward, he was described as “ruddy, with bright eyes and good-looking” (v.12). He probably didn’t look like a king as much as his brother did but God had chosen him.
         It strikes me that sometimes our blessing, even our answer to prayer may not be packaged the way we would expect. We know that God will answer but His answer doesn’t always turn out the way we had hoped or expected. I am reminded of a story I read a few years ago about a young man who was hoping to receive a particular car that he desperately wanted as a graduation gift from his father. When the day of the graduation came he received a beautifully-wrapped gift box inside of which lay a Bible with his name on it. Angry because of not getting what he wanted he stormed out of the house and did not return until years later for his father’s funeral. As he sifted through his father’s things, he saw the Bible. When he opened it a car key fell out from the back of the Bible. There was a tag on it with the name of the car dealer who had the car he had wanted as well as the graduation date and the words: “Paid in full.”
         He had gotten what he wanted but because it did not look like what he expected, he rejected it. If Samuel had had his way, he would have chosen Eliab who by the way was a soldier in king Saul’s army. He looked the part and even seemed to have man’s qualifications to back it up. David, on the other hand, was a red-faced, good-looking shepherd who probably didn’t seem to match up to the criteria. But he did. He was a man after God’s own heart. He loved his God and served Him with his whole heart and that’s exactly what God was looking for. Nobody saw all of these qualities, but God did. When David was hidden, and alone in the fields tending his father’s sheep, no one saw his communion with his God, but God Himself. And that was enough.
         No one may be seeing your intimacy and love for your God, your desire to live your life His way instead of following the world’s standards but God sees it. He sees your heart but He also knows His purpose for your life. Man’s criteria could not stop God’s purpose for David’s life ... neither will it stop God’s purpose for yours.
         As I look at my own life, I see time and again when I was placed in positions to do things I did not feel qualified for. I remember belonging to the junior band of musicians at my church. We played for the youth choir and various events outside of our local church. We may not have been the most skilled but we were willing and available. When the senior band members gradually left the church or stopped playing for one reason or another we automatically took up the mantle. We may not have been as skilled as the senior band, but we practiced each week and we were willing to do it. I used to look up to the musicians playing on the pulpit never expecting to be there one day myself. But as I mentioned last week, I was spending quality, intimate time with God and when He was ready He simply started putting me to do things I never dreamed of doing. Even now, many years later as a Pastor’s wife, I never dreamed I would be in this position either. I’m sure I didn’t look the part but when you put God first He will always send opportunities your way that sometimes seem so much bigger than yourself.
         Maybe that’s how David felt to be anointed for such a big task but like me, God enabled Him, God equipped him to handle what He sent His way and He will do the same for you. God has chosen you not based on man’s criteria but based on His purpose for your life and when you choose to live your life His way rest assured you will find yourself being blessed in ways that you would never have dreamed or imagined.
         If you are living a life that you know is less than what it could be, I encourage you to invite Jesus to be a part of it. Allow Him to come and take all that you are now and equip you and anoint you to be all that you can be in Him.

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