FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out)

Last post, we started talking about Saul, the once king of Israel who grew too impatient to wait on God’s way and ended up losing his anointed position as king.

I would like to look at his early life more in this post.

We first meet Saul in 1 Samuel 9:

“There was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish, son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, a Benjaminite, a man of wealth. And he had a son whose name was Saul, a handsome young man. There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people. Now the donkeys of Kish, Saul’s father, were lost. So Kish said to Saul his son, “Take one of the young men with you, and arise, go and look for the donkeys.” ” 1 Samuel 9:1-3 (ESV)

Saul and his servant followed his father’s command and searched through multiple lands to try to find the donkeys. But, they could not find them.

So, they finally ended up in the city of Zuph, where Samuel happened to be that day to perform his own duties.

Saul wants to turn back and head home even though they haven’t found the donkeys yet because he doesn’t want his father to worry now that they’ve spent a few days searching. But, the young man he brought with him convinces him to seek out Samuel so that they could ask him where to go to find the donkeys, since he was known to be a prophet and “all that he says comes true”. (1 Samuel 9:6)

They ask around and finally spot Samuel as he is heading on his way up to the high places.

This is the scene from Saul’s point of view.

But, much like any great plot, this story has two sides. And we get to see both!

Starting in verse 15, we find out Samuel’s side of the story:

“Now the day before Saul came, the Lord had revealed to Samuel: “Tomorrow about this time I will send to you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel. He shall save my people from the hand of the Philistines. For I have seen my people, because their cry has come to me.” When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord told him, “Here is the man of whom I spoke to you! He it is who shall restrain my people.” 1 Samuel 9:15-17 (ESV)

Saul came walking up to Samuel asking where the seer, or prophet, was. And Samuel confirms that he is the prophet they’re looking for.

Then, before Saul even has a chance to ask Samuel, he tells him that the donkeys he’s been looking for were already found!

Next, Samuel invites Saul to join him in the feast that was to take place that day:

“Then Samuel took Saul and the young man and brought them into the hall and gave them a place at the head of those who had been invited, who were about thirty persons. And Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the portion I gave you, of which I said to you, ‘Put it aside.'” So the cook took up the leg and what was on it and set them before Saul. And Samuel said, “See, what was kept is set before you. Eat, because it was kept for you until the hour appointed, that you might eat with the guests.” So Saul ate with Samuel that day.” 1 Samuel 9:22-24 (ESV)

This is a lot of background, and not even the story in its entirety, but it’s important to know where Saul is coming from in order to understand the weight of what Saul is going through and how truly in control God is of everything.

Saul’s place was prepared for him to come even while he himself didn’t know that’s where he was going. Even down to the very meal he ate being set aside for him. God brought Saul exactly where he needed to be even though he had no idea of God’s plan for his life.

This is a sigh of relief for my own soul.

I find myself living as if I am willingly sitting in the passenger seat with God rightfully on the driver’s side, but I’m a ball of anxiety staring at the map I’m holding without knowing the destination.

I get worked up over needing to have complete clarity on what God has for me to walk into next.

As if I’m afraid I will miss it if I don’t know the plan.

But, this passage reminds me that my obedience in walking God’s path for me does not require me to know what’s coming next.

Saul was clueless to what God had for him, yet God made sure he was right where he needed to be and he wouldn’t have missed it.

I’m simply to place my life in His hands and trust He will get me wherever I’m supposed to be as I follow Him.

I can put my full trust in that God’s life plan for me is for His glory and that is the very greatest pursuit I can ever give my life over to.

If I am walking daily with Him, I’m not going to miss what He has for me.

There is peace in not knowing where we’re headed, yet knowing the One Who’s leading us is completely trustworthy of our unhindered following.

My prayer this week is that this passage would speak life and peace into areas where we’ve been running on anxious pursuit instead of freeing trust.

From one of His children to another,

Christi