Hiding Among the Baggage

At the beginning of this year, I attended a Bible study to discuss the book  A Heart Like His by Beth Moore, an extensive look at the life of David.  I will admit, I went into the study thinking I knew a lot about King David:  a harp-playing shepherd boy that killed a giant using a slingshot and a stone becomes a king that had an affair with a married woman but was a man after God's own heart.  The End.  Boy, was I wrong!  There was so much I didn't know; I enjoyed digging deep into the Word to learn about this man that, in spite of his short-comings and sinfulness, completely and wholeheartedly loved and feared God.

Through this study, I became quite intrigued with King Saul, David's predecessor.  I found that I had more things in common with this man than I was willing to admit.  This man was "the most handsome man in Israel--head and shoulders taller than anyone else in the land" (I Samuel 9:2), yet struggled with self-confidence, poor self-esteem, and was very self-conscious.  Sound familiar, ladies? He was so focused and worried about what others thought of him that his focus was off God and on himself instead.

One particular passage really stuck out to me as I read about Saul.  God had revealed to Samuel the prophet that Saul was the man who would govern his people (I Samuel 9:17).  Samuel had anointed Saul and told him that the Lord had appointed him, a man from the smallest tribe, to rule over Israel.  Samuel summoned all of Israel to declare Saul king.  The bible goes into detail about the dramatic selection process, but Samuel and Saul already knew that the outcome would show that Saul would wear the crown.  When the big moment arrived to declare Saul the king, he was no where to be found.

"...and finally Saul son of Kish was chosen from among them.  But when they looked for him, he had disappeared!  So they asked the Lord, 'Where is he?'  And the Lord replied, 'He is hiding among the baggage.'" (I Samuel 10:21b-22, emphasis added).

Hiding among the baggage.  Those words kept resonating with me after I read them.  Hours after reading that passage, they continued to come back to me.  After mulling that phrase over and over, I realized that I act like Saul sometimes.  The moment I became I mother, God handed me a very important ministry: raising children (and in my case, boys) that will grow into Christ-followers.  They are my "kingdom of Israel" that He appointed and anointed me to lead.  My focus should be on God to fulfill this daunting task. I should trust that God will equip me to do what He has called and chosen me for.  However, there are so many moments during this motherhood journey that take my eyes off of God and I shift them on myself.  In these moments I find myself hiding in baggage of self doubt, stress, and lack of confidence in my ability to raise my boys.  I look at my short-comings and feel so incapable and hide.  I get anxious when a parenting issue arises and I hide.  I fear that I am royally screwing this "mom" thing up, and I hide.

Perhaps your baggage looks different from mine.  Maybe in your life, your baggage comes disguised as a busy schedule, depression, lack of confidence, or a haunting past.  Maybe it is fear that you aren't doing this "right".  Perhaps it's a troubled relationship in your life.  Regardless of what shape or color your baggage comes in, it all has one thing in common:  They are distractions that keep us from rising up and doing God's work.  We must come out of hiding and accept our divine appointment.

Saul finally came out of hiding and Samuel declared him king.  The Bible continues and states that Samuel "told the people what the rights and duties of a king were.  He wrote them down on a scroll and placed it before the Lord." (I Samuel 10:25).  How awesome! God knew Saul needed help and handed him the tools needed to fulfill his calling.  He knew Saul could not do it on his own.

He loves mothers so much and does the same for us!  With our eyes on Him, He hands us the "scroll" and keeps our emotions in check.  We can't hide in our baggage if He is guiding us.

Come out of hiding!  God is waiting for us to let Him guide us.  We are not doing this on our own.  Leave the baggage behind and come and see that the Lord is good.

What does your baggage look like?