It’s Friday…That’s Who The King Looks For

Being wanted and a sense of belonging always feels good, doesn’t it? I remember how as a child in the school yard, when “captains” chose kids from a lineup to be on their team to compete in a world-championship game of kickball (every game was a world championship, remember?). Whenever I was called upon to be a captain, I would break the status quo, and instead of choosing the biggest, fastest and strongest kid of the bunch, my first choice would be the kid everyone knew would most likely be chosen last. Why? For a few reasons, but mainly because there’s nothing like the feeling of being wanted. I still get a kick out of remembering the epic smiles on the faces of those kids as they were chosen first. It was priceless.

This week, I was chosen to be the next Pastor of a fun and delightful congregation in one of the most beautiful spots in Florida. After a long year of praying, waiting, and patiently enduring, which included several rejections and being passed over many times, it feels really good to be wanted. God’s timing, placement, and plan is always perfect.

When God told Samuel to anoint David as king, David was out in the fields tending flocks. Even his own father and brothers seemed to consider him a marginal member of the family. The older brothers fit the image of a king: you know, rugged, manly, strong in their opinions, and skilled at warriors. David was into music and sheep. Sure, he had killed a lion and a bear in defense of his flock, but his brothers hadn’t witnessed those events. Other than that, he spent most of his time passively, with no one to talk to but God.

But that was the key. It always is, has been, and will be for us who follow Jesus. The insignificant brother was conversant with The King of the universe. He had cultivated the heart and the art of worship. He was strong in an entirely different arena than his brothers – a skilled warrior in the making, to be sure, but even more skilled at a greater endeavor. He was learning the heart of God.

That’s the kind of person The King chooses to represent Him – people who are responsive to Him, humble yet strong seekers of His heartbeat. Our origins neither qualify us nor disqualify us. Our past scars and missteps do nothing to dissuade Him from choosing us. He has His own sort of preparation that doesn’t match the worldly standards. He chooses us like He chooses David: He looks for the heart of a worshiper and a warrior of faith, first.

“I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over My people Israel.” (2 Samuel 7:8)

Unfortunately, many today look at their own potential for success with the same eyes the other sons of Jesse did. We often forget that God is not bound by the images our world has created. To Him, it makes no difference whether we fit the stereo type of a good businessperson, artist, minister, father, mother, kickball player, or whatever else. To The LORD, our heavenward attributes are far more important than the impression we make. Sure, we need skills and excellence and strengths. But most of all, we need the heart of a worshiper. That’s Who The King Looks For. His people are called to have a heart for Him in every way. Do you agree?

Have a glorious weekend. Make it better by worshiping The LORD with those whose hearts are drawn to Him because they know deep in their heart that they have won the lottery in being chosen by Him, and that makes them smile, a lot.

All For Jesus – Nothing More, Nothing Less, Nothing Else.

“He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, The King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see, to Him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.” (1 Timothy 6:15b-16)