I have been reading Charles Swindoll's book on David, A Man of Passion and Destiny, and wanted to share from one chapter. Our society puts so much pressure on us to succeed and to be noticed: to be extraordinary. Yet, when God called David to be king, David was a nobody, a simple shepherd boy.
Last week I shared how God trains his servants in times of solitude and I wanted to just quote parts of Swindoll's book in this post for today.
"David grew up in obscurity. That's another way God trains his best personnel--in obscurity. Men and women of God, servant-leaders in the making, are first unknown, unseen, unappreciated, and unapplauded. in the relentless demands of obscurity, character is built. Strange as it may seem, those who first accept the silence of obscurity are best qualified to handle the applause of popularity.
The third training ground is monotony. That's being faithful in the menial, insignificant, routine, regular, unexciting, uneventful, daily tasks of life. Life without a break...without the wine and roses. Just dull, plain L-I-F-E."....."Just constant, unchanging endless hours of tired monotony as you learn to be a man or woman of God...with nobody else around, when nobody else notices, when nobody else even cares. That's how we learn to 'king it'."
May we find joy and fulfillment in being who and where God has called us. May we be faithful in the simple things, when no one sees. May we serve the audience of ONE.
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Yes, may He find us faithful in all the little things, the messy, and boring. So often we think He can only use us when we are great at something or famous. But as with David and many others, He does the opposite. Great post!
ReplyDeleteLove this post, Shanda. I'm a Chuck Swindoll fan, but I haven't read this book. I'm currently reading A Significant Life by Jim Graff, and he also uses the life of David in his examples. Btw, I participated in the bloghop last week in case you missed it. :)
ReplyDeletePraise God that He is faithful to notice our labors for Him! He sometimes rewards us right away, and sometimes later on in this life, but He will surely reward us in Heaven. Thanks for the great post & for hosting the linkup, & God bless,
ReplyDeleteLaurie
Love what you shared from Charles Swindoll's book. He is one of my favourite authors! I haven't read this particular book, however, you have whetted my appetite to read it after reading what you quoted.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. I may just add it to my wish list.
Thank you so much for sharing from that book! I really needed to hear that today as I'm just living in the middle of the daily grind of life as a mom to a toddler. Sometimes it feels so insignificant.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting the link-up!
Thank you for sharing this...it is always encouraging to remember when things get monotonous that God has me right where I am for a purpose.
ReplyDeleteI love these ideas. Good encouragement to remember this as my husband and I are in a relatively quiet season right now. It's great inspiration to get God's vision for my household tasks as well!
ReplyDeleteHmm...for any of us dreaming "to succeed and to be noticed: to be extraordinary" thanks for the reminder...God knows and we should trust Him always...His plans are better.
ReplyDeletePeace and good to you.
The older I get, the sweet plain, dull life is -especially after being in the midst of challenge battles!
ReplyDeleteObscurity, monotony, solitude...precursors, God's prep work. Each helping us become more like Him, better able to serve and to love. THANKS for sharing. Great post.
ReplyDeleteI like this post.
ReplyDeleteA great reminder to do things for Him and notdo things to be noticed by the world. If there is something that this world should notice about us, is that God's love:)
ReplyDeleteThis is so true...as far a I see it. I appreciate monotony lately...it is needed for me
ReplyDeleteHi there! this is my first time here. thanks for letting me link up! I'm # 63 on the list Ten tips for helping people with autism
ReplyDeleteSuch a great lesson! Solitude, Obscurity and Monotony. I have to admit that I find comfort in all three at times.
ReplyDeleteThis was a very insiteful post. It is true that most great leaders and prophets come from simple lives and backgrounds. I loved the thoughts from the book you are reading; I will check into it. You are so amazing and always have such uplifting thoughts or lessons to be learned.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you!
Thank you for sharing this. Needed to read it today.
ReplyDeleteHi, I enjoyed browsing a bit through your posts this morning. I think I may have been here before, maybe over a year or so ago! Your words refresh me, and it was such a delight reading another blog author who is obviously on the same frequency. Your heart for third world nations inspires me for obvious reasons. Where I live, the gaping contrast between the rich and the poor often breaks my heart... but it is a precious opportunity to be heaven's ambassador - especially by way of prophetic intercession.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to visiting here again.
Blessings,
Lidia
It is true, God does things the opposite of what the world does. He knows the best way to train His elite. Beautifully written, and much to contemplate as we continue our own mundane, obscure lives. Not every one is to be on stage in front of the curtain. There is much work done behind the stage which is just as important to the overall production. Great post.
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