Rejection is not fun. If you've ever "put yourself out there" to attend your dream college or land a dream job, girl/guy, role or home--only to be rejected--you know what I'm talking about.
I've had a few interesting conversations with friends over the years that touched on this topic. One time, I was with a small group of Christian guys and girls where some of the girls were lamenting, "What is it with Christian guys?!? They're surrounded by these incredible Christian women, but they just don't ask them out..."
"Guys hate rejection," one of the married guys spoke up.
His statement was simple, but in some ways took me by surprise...not because I hadn't heard or thought it before, but because the guy speaking was an A-list guy. You know who I'm talking about--a guy who is simultaneously committed to God, good looking, friendly, well-mannered, etc. This guy is probably one of those people who was always surrounded by packs of girls at school and church his entire life. When he said it, my first thought was, "You were once afraid of being hurt or rejected?!? Who in her right mind would turn you down?"
It sounded crazy. But today's passage describes a rejection even more tragic--God's people rejecting His leadership in their lives. Take a look:
They presented their case:
"Look, you're an old man,
and your sons aren't following in your footsteps.
Here's what we want you to do:
Appoint a king to rule us, just like everybody else."
When Samuel heard their demand—"Give us a king to rule us!"—
When Samuel heard their demand—"Give us a king to rule us!"—
he was crushed.
How awful!
Samuel prayed to God.
God answered Samuel, "Go ahead and do what they're asking.
God answered Samuel, "Go ahead and do what they're asking.
They are not rejecting you.
They've rejected me as their King.
From the day I brought them out of Egypt
until this very day they've been behaving like this,
leaving me for other gods.
And now they're doing it to you.
So let them have their own way..."
Who could be any more A-list than our God?
In fact, A-list doesn't even come close to describing Him--He's perfection itself. I don't think God fears our rejection, but I know that it hurts Him. God gave His everything to love us, to be with us for eternity. Yet sometimes we reject His leadership in pursuit of Z-list things--money, our selfish desires, bad habits, etc.
The rationale of the people in this passage was also really lame. They said, "Appoint a king to rule us just like everybody else." It's goofy logic, because ultimately, who really wants to be just like everybody else? Most of us want to live a life of significance. People who live significant lives don't follow the crowds. I believe that the best way to live a significant life is to embrace and surrender to God's leadership in your life.
Tomorrow: 1 Samuel 9-12
No comments:
Post a Comment