1 Samuel 14:49-52
The closing verses of chapter fourteen gives us a short account of Saul’s family: his wife, two sons and two daughters, and his cousin Abner, whom he made commander of his army. He and the three men mentioned here fought bitter wars with the Philistines for the rest of his life. It is the sad truth for all families. One member’s battle becomes everyone else’s. And either we all end up on top or together roll down in shame. Regardless if we pay that with support or neglect, it is inevitable that our life’s choices affect each other. Wherever we go, we carry with us that same blood, and oh, the same name too. But how about those soldiers, the mighty and brave men, whom Saul took with him into his service? They were chosen to be part of his life for their strength and skills. Though not blood related, their allegiance calls to fight alongside him with their all. Yes, they will share in his victory and/or defeat, but No to getting any credit. It is solely for the king’s name. It is the same sad truth in the workplace. We get hired for our skills and we’re expected to pour out our all so as to contribute to its success. The company gets the recognition, we get paid though. When bankruptcy tunnels in, all goes down with it. That is, regardless of one’s hardwork and because of another’s folly. But would we rather fight the fall or be the reason for it? People do less when they care less. The sooner we find it honor serving our ‘master’ and be part of his team, the more we’ll hold it as our own.
Application:
Let’s draft a formula here:
No-Choice + Hardwork OR Halfwork = Success OR Failure
Chosen + Hardwork OR Halfwork = Success OR Failure
Woew! Look at that! Regardless if we’re born with it, forced in, called to or volunteered in, and with or without our full support and all-out striving, it just can’t dictate our work’s outcomes! Playing victimized or depending on it can’t help either. Moses gave excuses at the burning bush, Peter said ‘I’ll die defending you!’. Both were great leaders, both succumbed to anger too. One never entered the promise land, the latter thrice disowned Christ. Failures? Yes. Faith-Heroes? Yes too. What’s the formula then? None, but grace at work. When all we see is who we are, what we do, and where it brings us, it ends there. Grace calls us be thankful in all circumstance and work with our all in gratitude to the One who favors us with all things. Then and only then can we end well. And in God’s kingdom, success is not spelled ‘m-o-n-e-y’ or ‘f-a-m-e’. Paul had a good standing, and continued in zeal, but seeing himself behind bars, we would expect an unfair cry. Instead we see him rejoicing in the Lord and getting his jailer saved. My life’s worth is not about me. God’s glory is my goal, and without doubt, my greatest gain!
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