Hiding Among the Stuff

Most kids love playing hide and seek. I can often hear my boys quietly giggling while I'm searching for them. There is something so exciting about being found while your hiding.

We adults hide too but often we hide so we won't be found. There was a man in scripture who hid hoping he wouldn't be found.

In 1 Samuel 10, Saul hid from the people among the "stuff" or the "baggage". Saul had done nothing wrong so what or who was he hiding from? We know that the great prophet Samuel had anointed him to be king over Israel and he was a new and changed man, yet he hid.

When everyone was anticipating the announcement of their king, their king couldn't be found. They sought the Lord and the Lord revealed that Saul was hiding among the "stuff".

Saul knew the calling on his life. His purpose had been revealed and now it was time to be displayed as king among the people and he hid. He hid from his calling, he hid from his purpose. He hid among "the stuff" or "the baggage."

Did he fear this responsibility was just too much for him to handle?  Did he fear people would boo when his name was announced? Did he feel unworthy? I don't know what caused him to hide, but I know he's not the only adult who has hidden among the stuff.

We too hide from our purpose either by feeling we are unworthy or feeling like there must be something better. We hide in the stuff of fear, past failures, unworthiness etc...

Just like Saul, we cannot hide from the Lord. He has a specific purpose and calling for each of us and He is the one who equips us. So we can step out and step up with confidence knowing that He who began a good work in us will most definitely finish it!

We are to be displays of His splendor. If something is on display it is clearly seen. When we are displays of His splendor, Jesus Christ will be clearly seen. I don't want to see my Savior face to face and Him show me all the things I was "supposed" to do but never did because I was hiding among the stuff. I want Him to show me the things I did out of love and obedience to Him walking in faith not fear.

It was Saul's appointed time for his calling. Is it your appointed time to step into God's perfect will for your life? If so, leave the "stuff" behind and pursue Him and the plans He has specifically for you. Maybe it's not your appointed time yet. Maybe He is preparing you for the work He has for you. Will you step out in confidence when He says "it's time" or will He find you hiding among the stuff?

We are always going to feel incapable of whatever God call us to do because He doesn't call us to do anything that can be accomplished in our own power.

Instead of making excuses and running from our calling, may we boldly embrace the purpose He created us for. Let's stop hiding and stand up tall out of the stuff and be displays of HIS splendor.