No Shortcuts

What a temptation it is to get to where we want to go as quickly as possible. In this age of fast cars, jets and the internet, we can--in a day--zoom all over the world and instantaneously send documents via our computers. The temptation, as I mentioned, is to get places too quickly.

 I heard a sermon yesterday by Matt Roden, a student pastor in our church. He referenced 1 Samuel 22-24 and spoke about the conflict between Saul and David. Saul was incredibly jealous of David. He knew that David would one day become king and take his place, but he held on with a death-grip to the throne. Saul had murderous intent for David and sought him with the help of the royal army. David met up with Saul in a cave as the king was relieving himself (that's right...using the bathroom). David and his men were fortuitously hiding back further in the cave when Saul entered. The king laid his robe to the side, David sneaked up and quietly cut a portion from it--proof that he could have slayed the jealous king if he were so inclined.

What a temptation it must have been to cut off the head of Saul and carry it outside to show the royal army. David could have hurried the process to the throne, but he knew that God would fulfill that promise in due time; he showed incredible restraint. So eventually, David shows the king the piece of cloth from the garment to prove he would not harm him, even with the opportunity .

The statement from the sermon that really struck me was when Matt said, "When opportunities line-up with our prayers and passion, it is extremely difficult to show restraint." Though opportunities seem God-intended, we must be wise and ask ourselves the important question before leaping: "What do I have to give up to get this?" Often times we find ourselves, as Matt put it, "...one decision away from losing our integrity, influence, credibility and more opportunity."

The statement we often hear in advertising is: "this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!" If we jump at every invitation, we might find ourselves falling into a hole at some point. Its better to show restraint, pray, ask for counsel, study the Word, sleep on it, call in the morning, ask your spouse, etc. There's no short-cutting the process. If God wants us there, He's capable of getting us there--in due time.