I grew up in a Christian home and was always in church. I have read the common Bible stories more often than I can count. I can tell you the "gist" of the majority of them, yet I get so excited when I see something new or hear God say something different in them. The Bible is a living book - always fresh and always coming alive in new ways. That is what makes it different than any other book.
It happened again a couple Sundays ago (I have been meaning to write about it for days, but life has just been too crazy). We were studying families in the Bible and came to the story of David's family. We began with his calling. Do you know the story? If not, you can read it
here (1 Samuel 16). The Lord has sent Samuel to Jesse to anoint the next King of Israel. Each of Jesse's sons passes in front of Samuel and the Lord says no to each. Finally, (I like to think with a heavy sigh, wondering if God is ever going to choose one) Samuel ask are there not any more sons somewhere. Jesse then tells Samuel of David, the youngest who is out tending the sheep. Samuel announces that someone should go fetch David and that they will wait on him. (Can you imagine the older brothers at this point, thinking the "baby" of the family, the "shepherd?" In my mind I see a bunch of grumbling brothers who are thinking it will be such a waste of time to wait on him.) Finally David returns and the Lord tells Samuel this is the son to be anointed.
I wondered what David was thinking when he was sent for. Did he know Samuel was coming that day to pick a king? Did he think he was out there in the fields while everyone else was part of the choosing? Or if he didn't know, was he trying to prepare himself to be happy for the chosen son and all the festivities they had while he was out working?
This last year has been a difficult one. The most common adjectives I have used have been alone and forgotten. As we were reading this passage I heard the Lord say, "see Cindy, you were not forgotten - you were not out 'tending my sheep' all alone. I always knew you were there and always knew what I had for your next season of life." As many times as I have read the story and heard it preached on, I have never thought of David as the "forgotten" son, the one missing out on the festivities and celebrations. And yet, so clearly, God reminded me that He sees it all and that even the most unlikely person for the job will never be forgotten by Him.
Isn't that cool?!
If you feel like you are stuck out in the fields with stinky sheep while everyone else is being considered for kingship - hold on! God sees you and will accomplish His plans in you. He has not forgotten you. (Even if you are serving in the nursery with crying two year olds while everyone else is in a fabulous concert or revival)
