So they inquired further of the Lord, “Has the man come here yet?”
And the Lord said, “Yes, he has hidden himself among the supplies.”
1 Samuel 10:22 (NIV)

I was fourteen years old when God gave me a very clear call to proclaim His Word. The whole thing was ludicrous.

I was young and naive.
I was uneducated.
I had no experience.

And yet, I quietly told God that if He gave me the opportunity, I would do what asked. I preached my first message less than three months later. In less than a year from receiving the call, I found myself traveling around the state preparing and delivering a message in different churches every Sunday.

I know. It’s crazy. But, it’s true.

Along my journey, I’ve observed and learned that when God calls individuals, rarely are those individuals ready or prepared for the task.

Moses balked in front of the burning bush.
Gideon repeatedly asked for proof.
Elijah ran for the hills and asked to die.
Peter told Jesus to take a hike.

In today’s chapter, Samuel anoints Saul as the first King of Israel. He gives Saul a series of prophetic signs he can expect. The signs include Saul running into a group of prophets, the Spirit of God descending on him, and Saul beginning to prophesy with them. Everything happened exactly as Samuel predicted. Yet when the nation was gathered, the lots were cast, and the grand moment came to introduce the tall, handsome young man as king…

Saul was hiding among the baggage.

As I meditated on Saul’s cowering this morning, my heart and mind meandered down two different paths of thought.

On one hand, Saul’s reaction — and the reactions of the other characters I noted from the Great Story — reveal a certain humility. In a world that places excessive importance on “influence” and “likes” there is something almost refreshing about a person who isn’t anxiously clawing their way to the top. History is rife with stories of individuals clamoring for the crown in the perpetual game of thrones. I find it a bit novel to have an individual whose motivation isn’t the fame, power, and fortune. Perhaps that’s the exact reason God tends to choose such individuals.

On the other hand, there is no doubt that Saul is cowering at God’s calling along with the many others I mentioned. When God comes calling it almost always feels larger than the person receiving it.

Saul’s story begins with insecurity, hesitation, and bewilderment. That part is relatable. Most worthwhile callings begin there.

Getting married. Parenthood. Leadership. Writing a book. Leading a company. Loving someone deeply. Ending a marriage. Speaking truth publicly. Creating art that matters. Following God into uncertainty. Rarely have I felt ready for God’s calling.

I want guarantees, clarity, and certainty. God, if you could please just provide me with a five-year strategic plan laminated in heavenly gold foil, I will be glad to do this thing you’re calling me to do.

But I’ve learned along my journey that God’s callings don’t come with legal assurances and laminated strategy plans. Instead, they are typically accompanied by a next step, and just enough light to see it. They come with a strange sign and a whisper in the heart saying: “I will be with you.”

Saul’s tragedy will not be that he began weak. His tragedy will be that insecurity slowly curdled into fear, image-management, jealousy, and self-protection.

Weak beginnings are not the danger — refusing continual surrender is.

Because the same man who once hid among the baggage will one day build monuments to himself. And that is the quiet warning humming beneath today’s chapter: calling can either deepen humility… or feed ego.

And every soul eventually chooses which way the oil flows.

In the quiet this morning I hear a simple invitation to stop waiting to feel completely qualified before obeying God. The kingdom has always moved forward through trembling people with oil still dripping down their foreheads.

Like a fifteen-year-old standing up to give a message in front of a church full of strangers.

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