1 Samuel 9:15-10:1
Imagine you've lost your dog. You've been searching everywhere with your friend to find it. You put signs up, you put an ad in the Greensheet. No luck. Finally, your friend says, "Lets go try to vet. I hear there's a vet in this area who's an expert on finding lost dogs."
You and your friend start heading in the direction of this vet. When you get there, you tell the vet, "We heard you are an expert at finding lost dogs, and we need help."
The vet says, "You don't have to worry about your lost dogs any more. We've got them. Right now, the future of Texas is in your hands. Come with me. We've got reservations at P.F. Changs."
The restaurant is empty except for a lit up banquet room with thirty people sitting at a large conference table. The vet reserves the head chair for you. You don't know the people sitting around you, but the vet says, "This restaurant, this time, this meal, and these people have been especially picked out for you."
The vet grabs the attention of the head chef and says, "Remember that choice cut of meat I told you to prepare and reserve? You can bring it out now." The meat comes out, and you can't believe what's going on. It's surreal. It's a fairy tale. The vet says, "Eat up. I've got some important news to tell you, but we'll do that in the morning. I've prepared a place for you and your friend to stay tonight."
When you finish eating, the vet takes you to her house. She's reserved her own master bedroom for you to sleep in for the night. It's got a hot tub, all the snacks you could imagine, and cable TV. She says, "In the morning I'll send ya'll off, but for right now just relax and enjoy yourself."
In the morning, the sound of the vet's voice wakes you up, and it's before dawn. The coffee's already made, your friend is standing out by the car. The vet takes you out into the front yard, and places her hand on your forehead. She blesses you, saying, "God has given me a word to give to you. You've been chosen to be the governor of Texas. God has heard the cries of the people of Texas, and he wants to free his people from the oppression of the federal government."
You reply, "But I'm from a poor town. I live in a trailer, and I haven't seen my family in years. I have no credentials to take this position."
The vet says, "Everything you need will be taken care of. You've been equipped to lead the people. Your friend will help you. Just head back home and you will be instructed on what to do. Don't worry. God will show you what to do."
What would life be like if being anointed to lead people was the norm? What would life be like if we saw our communities, states, and nations as groups of people whom God destined us to play a part in restoring?
Every day, we step into worlds that seem disconnected, random, and dark. The author of this story tells us that Saul had no intention of being a leader to the people of Israel. The author doesn't even tell us what kind of awkward conversation must have come up when Samuel told him he would be the prince of Israel. All Saul wanted was to find his damn donkeys. Yet, Samuel anointed him as the prince who would rescue the Israelites from Philistine oppression.
When we begin seeing the world around as connected and spiritual, perhaps what used to be random and secular will become meaningful and connected. Perhaps the coworkers, the gas station clerk, and the boss will become partners in this grand scheme of bringing restoration to a crying world. Maybe it's just a change of perspective that we haven't experienced yet. Does the world we step into every day really have any chance of meaning anything more than a means to an end?
Saul had no intention of being a leader or much less a prince. Yet, the people, the places, and the events were all set in place to make it happen. He didn't pray the right prayer, seek the right wisdom, or live the right life. He was simply looking for something that was lost.
Maybe the only thing we have to do is look for what's been lost. Maybe what is lost is actually the truth that we've been searching for all our lives, trying to make sense of who we are, what we're doing, and where we're headed. All Saul was doing was searching for something. He lived in an insignificant tribe, the smallest tribe in Israel. He had no elite family credentials or background. He was simply a man looking for something lost.
Are we searching or have we "arrived?" Are we still asking questions or do we have all the answers? When the questions end, when we stop searching, the journey stops. When we "arrive," we don't feel the need to move any further. When we keep our eyes open and the journey going, we start seeing the people around us, the events, the places, as sacred and connected. The people in our lives become prophets and guides, pointing us in the right directions, joining with us in our search for what's been lost.
Today's Action: Is there anything we've lost over the years that we've given up searching for? If so, do one thing that will continue the journey. Just maybe, opening our minds enough to continue searching will transform our perspectives from one of disconnected secularity into a sacred purpose full of adventure.
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