“So they inquired again of the Lord, ‘Is there a man still to come?’ and the Lord said, ‘Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage.’” – 1 Samuel 10:22
God had already anointed Saul to become the first king of Israel. However, when the moment came to reveal him to all of God’s people, Saul was nowhere to be found. Having heard his calling from God, Saul was overwhelmed and afraid. Perhaps he was afraid of how the people would respond… Would they follow him as king? What would they say to or about him? Perhaps he was afraid of how his life would be utterly changed forever by answering God’s call. Either way, Saul hid himself amongst the camp baggage. But he couldn’t hide from God and he couldn’t hide from God’s call on his life.
If Jesus is your Lord, then you, too, have a calling. In a general sense it looks like loving God, loving other people, and making disciples by telling people about Jesus and helping believers learn to obey Jesus. In a particular sense – who and how and what that exactly looks like – that’s between you and God. Perhaps you already know and are happily doing it. Or perhaps you know and are avoiding it, trying to hide from it like Saul. Or perhaps you’ve never wrestled with this question and sought God’s will for your life. It’s natural to have some fear about responding to God’s call on your life. To wonder how will people respond to you? What will they say? What if you mess up? What will it cost you? How could you possibly fit it in your schedule? How could you possibly take that step given your past or present situation?
Nonetheless, you can’t hide from God and you can’t hide from His calling! All you can do is miss out on some of the blessings of doing what God made you to do! To miss out on some of the great purpose and significance of your new life in Christ. You really don’t want to do that! So, are you answering God’s call on your life – whatever that call is? Are you avoiding it like Saul tried to do? Or have you not yet begun to prayerfully explore what God has waiting for you? #FollowJesus