God's Choice.

Monday, November 15, 2010
God’s Choice. It was a family meeting like never before. Samuel, God’s prophet, had come for a special visit. And as he passes down the line, he walks past son after son of Jesse. Yet the answer he continually hears from God is, “No…no…no…no…” Had he not heard right from the Lord when he thought the instructions were to go to Jesse’s house to find God’s choice for the next king of Israel? Why hadn’t he been able to find him there?
When he finally comes to the end of the line, he asks the obvious question “Is this it?” Jesse speaks up and informs him that there is one more son, the youngest. But they didn’t even figure it was important for him to be at this meeting. After all, he was the youngest. And he had older brothers that were wiser, stronger, better looking, and maybe smarter, with more life experience. Nonetheless, they sent for the young shepherd to come home.
Can’t you just see the fire and excitement in the eyes of this young teenager named David as God’s man looks him squarely in the eye and says, “You’re the one”? Can’t you just see the amazement as he begins to anoint David as the next King of the people that God has called His own? This young boy that others had written off would someday be the leader of the most mighty fighting force the world would ever see. This young boy that others thought was only good for watching herds of sheep would someday lead the massive nation of Israel. Others saw a young nobody. God saw a king. That was God’s choice.
There were tons of more qualified guys all around this young man. There were great speakers, great thinkers, great socially skilled guys, and even some deeply rooted students of Scripture. There were slightly older, more experienced ones. There they were – surrounding this young, 14 year old boy. No doubt, had you done a poll and asked the question, “Who, in this crowd, will be a preacher?” you’d have gotten a different answer than what became reality.
Yet I remember the morning I walked the isle and made the decision to follow God’s leadership in my life into ministry a public matter. Some scoffed, and for good reason. I couldn’t even drive myself, let alone lead anyone. Yet there I was, as green as a blade of grass and as inexperienced as anyone had ever been. Others saw a young nobody. God saw a preacher. That was God’s choice.
David wasn’t chosen because of his great leadership ability. He wasn’t chosen because of his vast knowledge of military strategy. He wasn’t chosen because he had proven himself capable of leading people effectively. He was chosen because he was a human being, perfectly capable of messing things up. He was chosen because it would be obvious to all that when he accomplished things it was God doing the accomplishing, not him.
I wasn’t chosen because of anything of myself. God didn’t say, “Well, look at that fine example of a human being. He is a natural leader, and his oratory skills are out of this world. And man oh man, look at his holiness! I think I’ll pick Him to preach my Word and lead my people.” Oh, quite the contrary. Much of my life has been spent as a poor example of a human being. I’m not a natural leader, and my oratory skills aren’t exactly the best on earth. And my holiness? Well, I’m a recipient of grace – need I say more? God chose me because anything and everything that would ever be accomplished through this ministry He’s called me to would very obviously be of Him, and not me.
No doubt many doubted God’s choice of David. And I know for a fact many doubted God’s choice of me. But when it’s all said and done, He chooses those who will ultimately point others back to Him. So with all of the many imperfections that make up blake Martin, I will spend the rest of this life I have here doing just that. After all, that’s God’s choice. And I want my life to honor it.


That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake

This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com