Do you remember middle school? For most of us it was a painful time of moving from childhood to young adulthood. Braces, acne, puberty, and growth spurts afflicted most of us to the point of painful insecurity. In 1974 I was 13 years old, 6’ 2” tall, 100 pounds dripping wet, and could hardly walk and chew gum at the same time, let alone play basketball. I was the guy they made the joke up about – “If you stood sideways and stuck out your tongue, you’d look like a zipper”. It didn’t help to have a last name that rhymed with “Bones”.
Like the rest of you, I asked the questions, “What will it take to fit in?” and “How can I be accepted?” I was willing to do just about anything and copy just about anyone if it meant I could be cool, liked, admired, or just fit into a crowd… any crowd.
As we read The Story chapter 10, those are same questions the nation of Israel was asking. They demanded a king to lead them and the prophet Samuel tried to warn them. “But the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel. And they said, “No! But there shall be a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” 1 Samuel 8:19,20 (emphasis mine).
We also read the touching story of Samuel and the tragic warning of Saul. One is a great example of how to listen to God and confidently obey. The other is a cautionary tale of personal insecurity and the foolish choices that flow from it. One was confident in God even though he had nothing. The other was insecure and reckless, despite all the outward appearances of success, wealth, and even religious approval.
Regardless of our age, we all feel the “squeeze” of the world to conform. (Romans 12:1,2) We all feel the temptation to perform in order to gain the approval of peers. (Yes, this happens in churches too!) We’ve all felt the fear of being “cancelled” for having a viewpoint or making a choice that isn’t popular. Lessons from the lives of Samuel and Saul give us great instructions on how to not just survive feelings of insecurity and fear, but to overcome them in the power of God!
I look forward to seeing you on Sunday at our 10:45 AM service, either inside or outside or online.
(Daylight saving also ends on November 7. Remember to turn your clocks back an hour on Saturday/today before midnight.)
In Christ,
Kurt
P.S. Only a few of my old friends still call me “Bones Jones”, and though it’s not quite as true as it used to be, I actually get a kick out of it now! You tell me YOUR nickname and you can call me by mine! Deal?
P.S.S. Our dear sister Ruth Schloh passed away on Oct. 28. Ruth was very involved in women’s Bible study and many other areas. She loved Jesus very much. She also loved the family of God. In fact, her last event at Valley Church was J-Mae Taylor’s Celebration of Life. Then the Lord took her home. Please join us for a memorial service on Thursday, Nov. 11 at 2:00 PM in the worship center with a reception to follow in the campus center. For questions, please contact Darren Seitz.