I feel like I’m spinning my wheels this week! Yesterday I had 4 writing projects and 5 loads of laundry. I finished Sunday’s post at 4:30 p.m. and David folded the last load for me.

Today I still had 4 writing projects and all I’ve accomplished is making my bed! (Full disclosure: I sanitized the sheets, pillow covers, mattress pad, blanket, and comforter.)

I did publish Monday’s post but my posts have been a day late since Friday! Frustrating! I opened my devotional and read these quotes:

“Wait before God until you feel saturated with His presence. Then move on to your next duty with awareness of the freshness and energy of Christ.” Dr. Pardington

* * * * * * *

“The grace of God does not come forth to bring rest and renewal to our soul until we completely reach the point of stillness in Him.” Streams in the Desert

I pulled up the Worship Central Radio station on Pandora, folded my hands in my lap, shut my eyes, and quietly listened to a song. Then I knew what God was trying to show me.

Wait!

I get in a hurry to go down my “To Do” list and mark off each item. I don’t take the time to be still and listen to God.

Saul made the same mistake. When he was a young man, he didn’t hurry to execute those who said he was not fit to rule, 1 Samuel 11:12. And he was careful to give God the glory for the victory over the Ammonites.

1 Samuel 11:13, “But Saul said, ‘Nobody is going to be executed this day. This is the day God saved Israel. Come, let’s go to Gilgal and there reconsecrate the kingship.’ ” The Message

Two chapters later, his son Jonathan is old enough to lead a company of soldiers. Jonathan got in a hurry and attacked the garrison of the Philistines. The Message version says he killed the governor. The Philistines were mad as hornets! Saul summoned the army to Gilgal, 1 Samuel 13:3, 4.

Samuel told him to wait 7 days. When Samuel failed to show up on time, the soldiers got scared and started slipping away to hide, 1 Samuel 13:6-8. So Saul took charge! He sacrificed a burnt offering. Only the priests were to present a sacrifice. Immediately, Samuel arrived and asked him what he was doing!

1 Samuel 13:12, “…I haven’t yet come before God asking for his help. So I took things into my own hands…” The Message

The quickest way to get into trouble is to take charge and take things into my own hands. The way to accomplish all my duties is to become still and wait on God. Then I will work with the freshness and energy of Christ.

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“Will we see you at Connect Group tonight?” John asked.

“Only if I see you at the Nursing Home Service this afternoon!”

(Later at Connect Group, John started giving me a hard time.)

“John,” I said, “I didn’t see you at the Nursing Home Service, so I picked out your room. It’s a single because your wife won’t need to move in for a few decades.”

(John decided that was a good time to start the Bible Study.)

* * * * * * *

The fourth Sunday is exhausting. I get up between four and five for devotions and to write my post. (Sorry, I overslept this week.)

We load up the drums and head to the Civic Center at 8:30 a.m. After unloading, we set up the drums and two keyboards. We practice for an hour making sure the sound is working correctly.

After a 5 minute break, we meet and pray for the service. We play and sing our hearts out in the worship. After the service, we tear it all down, pack the keyboards up for storage, load up the drums, and take them home.

Back at the house, we have less than an hour to unload the drums and grab a bite to eat before heading to Sunnybrook Nursing Home. We play and sing hymns there. After Bev shares a few verses we talk to the residents and pray for them. I usually play several more hymns for the residents who like to sing.

A few hours later we are heading to Connect Group for Bible Study. Why do we show up week after week and do all that work? Our parents taught us to have a stalwart character.

“Stalwart – loyal, reliable, hardworking. Synonyms: faithful, committed, devoted, dedicated, dependable, steady, constant, trusty, solid, steadfast, unwavering.”

When God chose the first king of Israel, He picked a man from a family known for their stalwart character.

1 Samuel 9:1, 2, “There was a man from the tribe of Benjamin named Kish. He was the son of Abiel, grandson of Zeror, great-grandson of Becorath, great-great grandson of Aphiah – a Benjamite of stalwart character. He had a son, Saul, a most handsome young man. There was none finer – he literally stood head and shoulders above the crowd!” The Message

But having character is not enough. God needed a man willing to work at any job.

1 Samuel 10:7, “…Whatever job you’re given to do, do it. God is with you.” The Message

Then God revealed Himself to Saul.

1 Samuel 10:9, “…At that very moment God transformed him – made him a new person! And all the confirming signs took place the same day.” The Message

The confirming signs:

1. At Rachel’s tomb, you will learn your father’s donkeys are found, 10:2. (God is all-knowing.)
2. At the Oak of Tabor, you will be given two loaves of bread, 10:3. (God will meet your needs. Saul admitted they were out of bread in 1 Samuel 9:7.)
3. At Gibeah, you will meet a group of prophets. The Spirit of God will come on you and you will prophesy and you’ll be transformed, 10:5. (God will work through you. You don’t accomplish things, God’s Spirit enables you to do them.)

When God’s Spirit came upon him, He transformed Saul.

1 Samuel 10:24, “Samuel then addressed the people, ‘Take a good look at whom God has chosen: the best! No one like him in the whole country!’ ” The Message

The people thought he was the best because he was tall, young, and handsome. He became the best because God’s Spirit transformed him. He needed to have a good character and be hardworking but it was God’s Spirit that did the work.

The number one rule of ministry is…

SHOW UP!

We don’t do the work. God’s Spirit does it. We just make ourselves available for Him to use.

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