After hearing from Samuel the 3 signs that were coming, Saul went out and encountered all 3 exactly as Samuel had said that very day. Three times, three different ways, Saul received confirmation that God had chosen him to be king of His people.
And then it was finally time for him to go back home.
“When he had finished prophesying, he came to the high place. Saul’s uncle said to him and to his servant, “Where did you go?” And he said, “To seek the donkeys. And when we saw they were not to be found, we went to Samuel.” And Saul’s uncle said, “Please tell me what Samuel said to you.” And Saul said to his uncle, “He told us plainly that the donkeys had been found.” But about the matter of the kingdom, of which Samuel had spoken, he did not tell him anything.” 1 Samuel 10:13-16 (ESV)
This private conversation between Saul and his uncle struck me.
Saul had an open door to tell his uncle what had just happened to him, to tell him that God had chosen him to be the king of Israel!
But he kept it to himself.
Obviously, we don’t know the relationship Saul had with his uncle, and that could very well be a huge reason why he didn’t share his future news with him. But, we see in the next verses that he even hides himself from the people of Israel when Samuel makes the public announcement that he is who God has chosen to be their new king. (1 Samuel 10:17-24)
So Saul’s response to hide what God had shared with him must be more than just being choosy with who he confides in.
More likely, he was scared. And keeping it to himself felt safer.
As I started thinking how strange it was for Saul to keep this confirmed news about his future to himself, I realized I’m not much different from him.
I know full well that I’m tempted to act the same way with what I feel God shares with me.
As we actively give our life to Christ’s leading, we are bound to have God-given direction about things that God wants us to walk into.
I’m not talking about the way we hope for our life to pan out, but the actual passions and callings God puts in our hearts. Like that tap on the shoulder to get involved in working with high schoolers, or to invest time into that coworker at work, or even to learn Spanish so that you can reach out to your neighbors more effectively. Maybe it’s something big like a new career path or adopting a child who God’s brought your way. Or smaller like joining the children’s teaching team at your church or giving financially to a couple who you know is struggling right now.
Whatever it is specifically for you, God gives us all guidance and direction as we walk with Him.
And once you hear God’s direction in your life, what do you do with it? Are you quick to share with those close to you? OR are you more like Saul and keep it to yourself where it feels safer…just in case.
Just in case God doesn’t come through.
Just in case God chose the wrong person and I don’t follow through.
Just in case I don’t really want to walk in the path God’s chosen me for.
Keeping what God’s asking of us to ourselves may feel safer, but is it really?
This week we started potty training JJ. I know he’s a little young, but he’s so ready after watching his big brother everyday, and we’re so ready to stop buying diapers!
I prepared for this week ahead of time. Potty training Ace was no walk in the park, so I wanted to be ready and come in with, what I thought were, more realistic expectations. (Turns out what I really walked in with was one foot out the door)
Potty training is not for the faint of heart! I knew I’d need to be by his side every moment of the day so I could catch him when he’d inevitably have an accident and help him to the potty so he would start to connect what he’s supposed to do. Now, I’m all for quality time with my child. But, this is extreme.
And as the time goes on, exhausting.
And the more accidents I’m cleaning up off the floor, discouraging.
The week started something like this:
Day 1, an expected disaster with a pile of wet laundry on the floor. But he’s never had to do this before, so I know he’ll need some time, right?
Day 2, still not getting anywhere. I thought we’d have at least a little success by now, but it was a repeat of Day 1. Now I’m starting to wonder if he’s really ready. Can he do this?
Day 3, By mid-morning, I’m ready to call it. He doesn’t seem to be getting it, so let’s just throw in the towel and try again later in the Fall.
And if it were just me, I probably would have.
But parenting JJ isn’t just me.
Matt came home that evening and I had been preparing the report that I think we should stop trying with JJ for the last few hours. Fully ready to slap a diaper on him by dinnertime.
But, Matt had a different reaction.
He suggested we keep working at it for another couple of days. He reminded me that we started this process because we knew he was ready. And just because it’s taking longer than the “3-Day Potty Training Magic” like I expected, doesn’t mean we should just give up.
This was not the answer this tired mama wanted to hear.
Mostly because I knew he was right.
So, reluctantly I agreed and we kept at it.
And I’m so glad we did! Now JJ has been 2 days accident-free!
Potty training my toddler was not necessarily direction I heard from God in my life, but it showed me the importance of having trusted people around me who know what I’m working towards.
Sharing our God-given direction with those we trust and know love us enough to speak up when we seem to be getting off track will help keep us accountable on the days we’re growing tired and discouraged.
I don’t want to be like Saul, laying a safety net of silence and secrecy around myself so that if I don’t follow through with what God’s asked of me, others won’t know and I easily give up.
I want to let those who are close to me in so that they can help me stay on track with the direction God’s given me when I inevitably get weary or distracted. Sharing what God’s asking of us with others allows them to keep us from hiding when it’s our time to step up and follow God.
There may be a fleeting feeling of safety in secrecy. But there’s commitment in sharing.
Honestly, if I were the only one who knew I was potty training JJ, I would have quit after Day 3 of no sign of improvement. But thankfully, I wasn’t.
At first, I thought it would be safer for me to not let anyone know what I was trying to do, so if I didn’t follow through no one would know. I wanted to lay a safety net down for my reputation.
But what I really needed was the safety net I found in Matt who kept me on track, not letting me wander from the direction we needed to go when things got tough.
Instead of preparing for yourself to silently fail in following God’s direction, wouldn’t you rather share with others to enable them to help you succeed?
When I am tempted to prioritize my time on something away from where God’s called me, I need to have people in my life who act as my safety net, speaking up to remind me of the direction God’s given me.
The only way I can have that is if I share the direction God’s given me with those I trust to help keep me accountable.
Where have you placed your safety net?
Is it to keep your reputation safe in case you don’t follow through?
Or is it to get you back on track when you swerve from the direction God’s directed you to go?
From one of His children to another,
Christi
Another great blog that makes me think deeper. You are so right about sharing where God is leading you with your trusted people. The people who will gently hold you accountable.