Don't be Saul-ty

One of my greatest fears about posting content and sharing the messages that God gives me is that people will look at my post, roll their eyes, and not read it. Beyond that, my next biggest fear is that someone will read my post, roll their eyes and hate what I wrote. This isn't an irrational fear because our culture is very critical. For every message, there is a troll. Social media makes it easier for a complete stranger to openly undermine your message and insult you personally. If you're a sensitive person or struggle with what the Bible calls "the fear of man," that's enough to completely paralyze you from sharing your message. I've paid for countless courses, attended countless workshops, seminars, classes, and conferences ranging in topics from launching a successful business to walking in your purpose. For years I've paid money to attend these gatherings hoping to hear the magic formula that would push me to do what was already in me to do. It wasn't until the last few years that I realized, there is nothing they can tell me that will work better than what I already know. The process of beginning is a step that I am responsible for taking all on my own. These workshops can teach skills but cannot make us confident in the value we have to offer. Does that sound familiar?

Since the global pandemic, there have been so many people launching businesses: selling digital and tangible products. Watching this has been so inspiring and still, I sat, knowing that there was more that I could be doing, unsure of how to get there. The missing piece is this: There will be people that undermine, roll their eyes, etc. But if God put a message inside of you, no matter what your arena is, know that there is an audience hungry for what you have to say. Some people may never tell you how your message empowered and inspired them.

The responsibility that we have is to learn from Saul, the first King of Israel whose story is found in the Bible. If you're familiar with his story, we usually view him as a hater because of how much he burned after David knowing he would replace him as King. But we should be careful of writing him off. There is a Saul on the inside of many of us. The first times I read his story, I simply attributed his disobedience to pride. But did you know that pride is a byproduct of insecurity? Much of Saul's disobedience to what God had instructed him to do came from the fear of people. In laments terms, he was very concerned about what people thought of him. The voices of people rang louder to him than the voice of God (the one who anointed him).

Don't believe me? In 1 Samuel 9: when Saul was chosen to be the first king of Israel, his response to Prophet Samuel was stating that he was from the least of the tribes and humblest of clans. In other words, he didn't think he was qualified. Later during his reign, we continue to see his insecurity in how Saul was nfluenced by other people that he was called to lead.

In chapter 13, Saul was instructed by Samuel to wait for him to send up the burnt offering after attacking the Philistines. When the people began to scatter because Samuel hadn't shown up after 7 days, Saul made the offering instead of waiting for Samuel as instructed. When Samuel confronted him, Saul responded that the people were scattering from him, and Samuel didn't show up at the agreed time, so he sent the offering up to make sure he had the Lord's favor. This was the first time Saul's decision to disobey was influenced by people.

The next time, in 1 Samuel 15:3, Saul was instructed to go attack the Amalekites and destroy everything they have; don't spare anyone or anything." When Saul took his people to destroy the people of Amalek, he brought back Agag the king, and the best of the livestock. Everything else, they destroyed. When confronted by Samuel later, Saul responded that he took the king alive and the other soldiers are the ones that brought back the spoils. Although he was the leader, he completely laid the blame on the people that he was called to lead for his disobedience.

If we don't learn from Saul, we are doomed to repeat his mistake. I don't believe Saul hated David just because he was going to replace him as king of Israel; he was reminded of all the times he dishonored the call God had on his life. He was reminded of all the times he disobeyed. We all have insecurities that we must overcome to do what we're called to do. Don't feel like the feeling of fear disqualifies you. People may not like you or what you put out. But know there are people who will not only like it but NEED it. That's who it's for. Moreover, obedience is what God will always bless in the end.

What areas of our lives are we allowing what people may think to influence our obedience to God? In the story of Saul, he was replaced by someone described as "a man after God's own heart." The thing about God is, He will accomplish what He sets out to accomplish. If we don't step out in faith and trust what doors He will open as we continue to obey, we must understand that He will choose someone who is after his heart, after his agenda, who isn't afraid to obey, who cares more about what He thinks than people. Trust me, I'm in the battle against fear with you. But we have lives to transform through the message God has entrusted us with. I encourage you today to trust Him and to trust that if He gave you that message, it means something!