One day when I was in Form 1 (I did Remove, one extra year in high school), my English teacher was looking for someone in the class to take part in the public speaking contest. She asked a few before she asked me. I was surprised. I was not able to converse in English well then. I started to be a bit good in English in Form 2, thanks to my form teacher who taught us English, Mrs Parameswara, who was the schoolmate of my mother. When my form 1 English teacher asked me, I got tongue tied. I could not come up with a response. In my mind, I thought, ok, I’d do it. Before I could get my message across, she turned her attention to other classmates. I did not get a chance to participate in the public speaking contest.
I did not think I was ready.
Saul, despite being anointed as the king of Israel by Samuel, did not think he was ready. He did not think he was suitable. He did not think he could do it. A few things give clue to this. He did not tell his uncle he was appointed as the king. He hid among the supplies.
He was just anointed as king by Samuel. He stood head and shoulders above the rest. He even prophersied! Yet, he had his reservations.
We read time and again that God does not look at us the way we look at us. We admire and respect people who are educated, well to do, strong, well-dressed, good looking, articulated, etc. God looks at the heart. God looks at obedience. Saul might not have been the choice candidate as the king of Israel if it was up to the people. We shall see this again when the next king is chosen, it was one “after God’s own heart.”
Have you ever rooted for someone because he is a friend, because she has a beautiful smile, because they have a good command of English (and won at public speaking contests)? Have you ever doubted yourself when suggested to take up a task or lead a ministry?
The key here is not to drive headlong into anything and everything you encounter. Do not just take up something when the opportunity presents itself. Rather, prayerfully consider something before taking it up. When I was much younger (I am tempted to just say “when I was young” since now I am evidently no longer young), I said yes to everything. That ministry needed someone to help with translation? Yes, I was in. The church wanted to start a weekly service for a different language, count me in. Youth? I led them. Worship team? I headed it. Preaching? You didn’t even have to ask. Evangelistic meeting? I planned, performed, sang, MC’ed. The end result was I could not focus. And I was always tired.
Some of us are like Moses. He was given the best education there was in the palace for 40 years. He was then given the chance to learn how to tend to sheep (they are dumb and helpless and possible very headstrong, like the people he was going to lead.) Then only he was called to do his work. He left his comfort zones twice.
Some of us may not have the same experience. We are called to something unexpectedly. Do not be afraid. If God calls you, he has a plan for you. You may die (Loong, you cannot say that, it’s discouraging), you may suffer but Hod will be with you.
Think about it. In what unexpected ways has God called you to step outside your comfort zone?
I am sure you know your gifts. Are you making good use of them in the Kingdom of God? Please do not let them go to waste. How can you embrace humility and trust His power to equip you for the journey ahead?
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