Hats On

2 Samuel 11:1

“In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem.”   

I can’t believe I finally had a working weekend! I know it may seem odd to most of you who usually have you work on weekdays and rest on weekends, but for people like me who literally grew up in church, it’s always the other way around. Moving to Cebu felt like living in another time zone where I had to adjust my body clock, to zero, haha. There were no choir rehearsals, no program meetings, no workshop teachings - - nothing on my usually-filled-up-schedule. It was homecoming to be in a room of vibrant volunteers. Deadlines, duties, delegation, demands, even stressful lines like ‘what happened?’, ‘who’s in charge of that?’, ‘where are they?’ welcomed me too. It’s good to have my hat back. I’m just so God-grateful :>

The opening lines of this chapter is quite an odd picture of David too. We've always known David for leading his men, or winning this war. I can’t remember ever reading David enjoying spring break, or David and his lazy walk in the rooftop. It was so unlike him. Worse, so unlike for a king. It was clearly his hat to fight against Israel’s enemies, to keep the plunder for the temple project, to extend their land borders. It was his wiring, his training, his calling. If the palace just needs a king seated on the throne, even Mephibosheth could do it. There was no mention of any pressing need in Jerusalem for him to stay. Joab’s ability to lead is not enough reason for him to delegate either. It was his hat. It was the purpose of his crown. But he turned it the other way around. He was that day the man after his own heart.

Each one of us has been designed distinctly for His purposes. Our personality, experiences, education, and expertise are all God-ordained to work in harmony to His will. And it is only in a relationship with Him we can find meaning to our hats. Turning off that connection is allowing other frequencies to broadcast. They’ll not sound bad. What’s wrong with spring break? But in time of war? What’s wrong with social networking. But during office hours? Nothing wrong with soaps or psps. But all day? Nothing wrong with traveling. But if you’re Jonah and God said towards Niniveh, other routes will lead you to a fish belly. David’s downfall is next. Be sure what you’re doing now is what you should be doing, not what you feel like doing. Ours is the hat, God holds the crown. We don't mix-'n-match. It’s not our call. It has always been His.