Awareness

Far too long people have gone around unaware of the power within them. Some are even unaware of the season they are in.  Recently, I was in the season of cultivation, which was developing within me skills and the assets it takes to be a Great leader.  However, for a couple of years I had no clue why I was going through what I was going through. I questioned, if God sent me here to this place why am I met with opposition?  Why is it that the people I try to help are the people that try to take advantage of me the most? Ooooh during that season what I saw as a setback was actually a setup for God to Bless Me and my wife.  My wife and I had to learn through experience not to throw our pearls to swine; not allowing what was valuable to us to be used by others who did not see the same value in it. As much as we wanted to help others, there were many times we felt an unhealthy pressure  and even an obligation to help. I was unaware of my season and the power placed inside of me.

God built up within Me a strength that I did not possess before; the strength to say NO. It is easy to say NO to people you don’t like, but saying NO to family requires strength.  Why is it that family are often the ones that try or pressure you the most?  1 Samuel 16:6-23 tells the story of David, how Samuel was sent by God to anoint the future king of Israel.  David was so highly valued by his family that they didn’t even invite him let alone mention him when Samuel told Jesse to bring his sons to him. They must have really appreciated him… nope I don’t think so. When asked if he had any more children Jesse responded in v.11, “There remains yet the youngest and behold he is tending the sheep.” (NASB)  Simply put, the boy is in the field with the sheep and their dung.  Imagine, his own family did not deem him worthy enough to meet the Prophet and possibly be anointed as King.  Yet, they viewed him to be worthy of the sheep dung.  I tell you now, don’t let the opinions and views of others hold you back from what and whom God has called you and destined you to become.

Instead of immediately taking the throne when he was anointed as King, David went back to the field. I can only imagine how he felt. He knows he is King and still has to go to the dung, but check this out… this is good.  David went away with an awareness of who he was and what he was destined to be and with a faith in a God that would see it to fruition as long as he would trust Him.  Fast foward some years and we meet Goliath.  The thing/person used to test and elevate David.  In 1 Samuel 17, David’s brothers were at war and Jesse sent David to see how his brothers were doing and to take them food. In v. 28 we get a clearer view of how David’s family felt about him, I could say they knew what he was called for, saw the anointing on him and detested it.  People will hate you for what you have been Anointed and called to be.  Eliab, David’s oldest brother said to David “Why have you come down? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness?  I know your insolence and the wickedness of your heart; for you have come down in order to see the battle.” (NASB)  Wow, what a slap in the face, especially when David was only there to bring food and check on the welfare of his family.  Let me bring to your attention that God referred to David as a man of His own heart.  Whoa, his brother was completely wrong about David. You must see yourself through a God focused lens and not any other worldview.  Often people don’t see you for who God called you to be, that is why you must be Aware of who God has Destined you to be.

So after David was anointed as King he went back to the sheep. Why?  You may be asking yourself that same question: Why am I still with these people, this job, in this house? Great Question.  After no one would dare fight Goliath, David being fully aware of his calling and a purpose and having Faith in an unwavering God went to the current King Saul and spoke these words after Saul told him he could not fight Goliath.  He said v. 34-37 “Your servant was tending sheep.  When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock I went after him and attacked him, and rescued it from his mouth; and when he rose up against me I seized him by his beard and struck him and killed him.  Your servant has killed the lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he taunted the armies of the living God.  And David said, The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine” (NASB).  David went to the field in the sheep dung to learn to fight to gain faith in God to know that he can stand any test or challenge as long as he is aware of the God that is for him and working in him.  David killed the that Giant, but many years later he became King; that’s another story in itself…why when you face your greatest victory you don’t always take the kingdom at that instance.  Ok focus.

So for years I was being cultivated in a season that felt like I was tending sheep, standing in DUNG and being opposed by family that were not concerned with the purpose God has for me or my wife.  Definitely a challenge!  However, that cultivation and training allowed me to become aware of my purpose and the calling God placed on MY FAMILY (wife and children).  How do you become aware?  I’m glad you asked.  David caught God’s attention in the field, in the DUNG by seeking Him and spending time with Him and God gave David the awareness of his place, calling, and power.

I am still being cultivated in areas and I can say I am stronger now than I was before and love the fact that I have learned to say NO when needed.  If I can make tough decisions in the sheep field, I know I will do it in the Kingdom and so will you.  Don’t let your calling be perverted by the views of others, become AWARE and be who God called you.

With Love,

Marcus

Check out the sermon series entitled Sticks and Stones by Pastor Steven Furtick. This post was inspired by what I learned personally from the teachings.