Actor#1: SAUL (vv.1-14)
If there is one story in the Bible proving that God really orchestrates events to serve His purposes, it is this chapter. The young man, Saul, was asked by his father to look for their lost donkeys. As per instruction, he brought with him one of his servants, whom God made sure was that one who knew about Samuel and who has a quarter of a shekel in his pocket. And guess which path they took? The exact road leading to where the prophet is. They couldn’t bump into the donkeys along the way for there will be no need for Saul to see the seer. So I’m sure God hid the animals somewhere safe and be found at a later time, on His cue. Before hitting town, there were girls coming out to draw for water and they had to be the most accommodating and enthusiastic set to encourage Saul to keep on going. Ever been to an unfamiliar ground looking for an unfamiliar face? Your first encounter with their people is the crucial crossroad which provides you a picture of what to expect next and gives you just enough time to back off when a danger sign pops up. God took care of that too. The girls gave them the detailed itinerary of Samuel and pushed them to urgency, saying ‘you’re just at the right time. go now or miss him’. God knew Saul so much that He gave him no room for second thoughts. As they were entering the town, Samuel was already coming towards them. How convenient! All actors playing their parts as pre-conceived by the Director. I wonder how many angels were recruited to take some roles too :> Cut! Perfect! God now calls everyone for their next location.
Application:
Amazing how God moves all things and makes all men work according to His grand plan. As an event planner and sometimes coordinator, my task is to be sure all grounds are covered and no stone left unturned. I literally run the program per second in my mind. Rewind-forward-slow-mo, over and over again. Multiply that infinitely and you’ll declare only a great God could make every life, generation past, present and future, designed and perfected to work independently from and dependently with all the rest of mankind. Mindblowing! So how should we adjust our lives to that truth? First in my list is to praise God that He has already my life’s script on hand. Nothing will surprise Him, no one else can edit it, and I have no reason to worry about it. Second, is not to edit the life’s script of another. Although actually I couldn’t. But still, I should let go of every scheme that tries to manipulate others to serve my side of the story. Third, is to take some time off my script and just marvel at the many other stories God wrote. Not only it will deepen my understanding and skill as His actor, but more importantly, it will heighten my worship of God, the sole Author and Perfecter of my faith!
Actor # 2: SAMUEL (vv.15-24)
Second scene shifted on God’s veteran actor, Samuel. The Director told him a day before to prepare for the coming of a young actor and to personally orient him for his role as the new male lead. So at the sight of Saul at the entrance gate, he hurriedly welcomed and invited him for a meal. Seeing the puzzled look on the newcomer’s face, Samuel whispered that all will be explained in detail the next morning and gave him an added assurance that his family concerns has all been taken care of. The old man brought him to a hall already filled with invited guests. A reserved sign was already placed at the head seat and the chef was immediately notified to serve the set-apart meal. For an outgoing actor, this could be heartbreaking, if not impossible. But Samuel was humble enough to accept that his time under the limelight is up and a new star is born. His big heart ushered Israel’s new leader in, giving him the welcome party befitting for a King.
Application:
When I was still a student, I heard that there were teachers in the conservatories who would never teach just anyone their skill techniques, unless you’re so good enough to earn that distinction of having been under their tutelage. No one would miss and say it’s pride at work. But if we move closer we’ll realize they're just putting on a mask. What lies beneath is actually plain insecurity. They wanted to freeze time and be the best for all season. They couldn’t bear the thought of seeing someone overtaking their glory days. And so they kept their life’s work to themselves and to those chosen few with the condition of tagging their names wherever and whenever. Building a name that will last forever is the very reason why man’s Babel project was cut short. We don’t create a legacy for people to remember us. We live well to be better signages and point them all to God. If at any point we are asked to leave our post, we should gladly step aside for the next steward to take over. If our replacement turns out to be younger than us, never think his inexperience meant God made an unwise move. We were younger too when God first called us in, right? However, if our replacement turns out to be better than us, we should all the more rejoice for the sake of our post. It is foolishness to keep toiling God’s ground for a year when another man can finish it well within a month. We are all workers in God’s vineyard, we work for the glory of One. And don’t worry, there is no retirement in His kingdom. When God pulls us out from a post, it means He’s assigning us to another. Ready for your new assignment? Your welcome party awaits you!
No comments:
Post a Comment