BETTER THAN YOU
Today's reading: 1 Samuel 15-16

"As Samuel turned to go, Saul grabbed at him to try to hold him back and torn his robe. And Samuel said to him, See? The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to someone else--one who is better than you." 1 Samuel 15:28 NLT

I will tell you, I have read this passage  times now and am still trying to soak it all in.

You see, as a gal who deals on a daily basis with the temptation to compare herself with others, this is a hard read.

I've always been told that God loves us all the same.

I've understood God is no respecter of persons.

I've known that I am no more, or less, loved than the addict in the gutter or the king on his throne.

But then I read here that Samuel, using God's words, tells Saul that he is giving the kingdom to someone 'better' than him.

Ouch.

That's when I had to re-read it. And read it again.

The issue God had with Saul was obedience.

God was giving the kingdom to someone who was better at obeying.

Not better at being king.

Not taller.

Not a better orator.

Not a thinner person.

Not a person with a better pedigree.

Not a richer person.

Not a fella who had better talents.

But to someone who had a more obedient heart.

A character trait that each and every individual is responsible for cultivating in their own life.

Not a familial tendency.

Not a genetic predisposition.

Not a legacy handed out like an inheritance.

I want to be that 'better' person.

I want to be the one picked by God for the job at hand.

I want to be the one raising my hand for His mission.

I want to be the one who did what was asked with my whole heart and to the letter of His direction.

I want to be the one willing and excited to be used by God.

I don't want to take another's job, but I also don't want another having to do what God's asked of me either!

How about you?