The Monday Memo from John Stanko

Memo 1038: Too Gifted

Last week, we saw that God enrolled David in the Saul Academy where King Saul and his family played a major role in David's preparation to be the next king. Little did David suspect at the time that he would end up the king's son-in-law, that the king's son would become his best friend, and that Saul's mercurial temperament would threaten to keep David from ever assuming the throne. David's qualifications for this unique training in the Saul Academy were described by one of Saul's attendants:

“I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with him.” Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.” So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul (1 Samuel 16:18-20).

Let's examine these qualities more closely this week as we pursue the reason for this entry's title, "Too Gifted."

HOW DID HE DO IT?

How did Saul's aide know so much about David? Where had he observed him to gather such a dossier on David's skills and habit? I would assume shepherds worked together, getting to know one another as they did, but how many men would that have involved? Here is a list of David's outstanding qualities:

1. He could play the lyre well. Where did he learn to play? Who taught him? Who was his audience when he did play?
2. He was brave. That means he had to engage scenarios where his bravery was revealed. We learn later from David's own testimony that he killed bears and lions in the line of duty. Who knew shepherding could be that risky?
3. He was a warrior. You don't get a reputation as a fighter by only taking on wildlife. David must have had encounters with other men and came out victorious from his skirmishes with them.
4. He speaks well. David was eloquent, which means he was not a loner out in a field somewhere tending a few sheep. He had relationships with others.
5. He was a fine-looking man. Like Esther, David looked the part of royalty. Since we have nothing to do with our natural looks, it means that God created David not to be an obscure figure but a charismatic leader.
6. God was with him. I'm not sure how the man came to that conclusion, but he must have witnessed or heard about David's deeds or presence that indicated he was no ordinary soul. God had chosen to partner with David and the results were obvious.

Once again, this makes David's lack of attention from his family all the more startling, for the list above is an impressive array of qualifications for significance. At any rate, we are pretty much left in the dark as to how David earned these accolades but we will take them as historic facts and move on to extract lessons relevant to us from his life.

TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN

The stage was set for David to be a leader of men but it was also set for him to yield to pride and arrogance. David had an impressive array of strengths and it would have been easy for him to think he deserved the throne because he was special. He was good at what he did not so much because he was good at what he did in his own right but because God was with him. God set out a special path that would keep David on the humble road rather than the pride freeway. What's more, God did not equip David so he could be a celebrity, even though he did become one (and still is to this day). God had work for David to do and he was going to need all that he had to get the job done.

You may be able to quote Jesus' words to the effect that "to whom much is given, much is required." Let's look at that statement in context:

“The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked" (Luke 12:47-48).

You too have been given an impressive array of gifts and grace. What's more, it can be said of you as it was of David that "The Lord is with you." What are you doing with that magnificent truth? You, like David, can do something well. it may be singing, or cooking, or speaking, or youth work, or creative expressions. Do other people know you do those things? Do you have a good reputation because of the work you do? Or have you hidden away your talents, placing them under a bushel so to speak. Do you "look good" like David did, but instead of using your charm or charisma for the good of God's kingdom, you take it for granted and use it only in career or special relationships?

David was a gifted man, too gifted for God to use him in a small, insignificant way and the same is true for you. God has made a marvelous investment into your life. Are you being a good steward, or are you too gifted for your own good, refusing the responsibility that comes with God's gracious deposit? I urge you to make your own inventory list of who you are and what God has enabled you to do and then determine not to let those things go to waste but to produce much from and because of the gift package God has given you. Have a blessed week.

Memo 1037: Saul Academy

We left off last week when Samuel was anointing David as the next king. That news was kept quiet for Saul was still on the throne and would probably not take too kindly to the news—as will be proved later in the story between those two men. The closing verse of David's anointing ceremony reads, "So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David" (1 Samuel 16:13). So what did the Lord do next with His new regent? Did Samuel host a banquet? Did they have a small celebration with his family? Did David go on a tour of his kingdom? No, none of that occurred. Instead, the Lord enrolled David in school, specifically the Saul Academy of Leadership Training.

SERVICE SCHOOL

We read about David that "the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully" upon him. In the next verse, we learn, "Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him" (1 Samuel 16:14). That provides quite a contrast, doesn't it? One man had the Spirit of God on him, the other had an evil spirit from the Lord tormenting him. Instead of Saul seeking help and instead of his staff confronting the problem, they all looked for a band-aid temporary fix:

Saul’s attendants said to him, “See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the lyre. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes on you, and you will feel better.” So Saul said to his attendants, “Find someone who plays well and bring him to me" (1 Samuel 16:15-17).

It's always sad when an organization cater to the problems of its leaders rather then serve others or the faithful staff they have, but that's besides the point here. Saul had a serious spiritual problem that they could only hope to sedate with worship music. So what was their plan?

One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with him.” Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.” So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul (1 Samuel 16:18-20).

The summary the man gave Saul of David begs the question I asked last week as to why David's family had so little use for him when everyone else saw him with rock star qualities. Be that as it may, let's look at another aspect of this story before we close.

A STRANGE SCHOOL

Of all the places the Lord could have sent David, it seems like a man with an evil spirit running rampant in his life would be the least likely. Yet that is exactly where the Lord sent David, and his family seemed only too happy to ship him off to serve the madman with a few day's rations and their best wishes for future success (I doubt if Saul's problem was a kingdom secret). True to form, David was no less successful in this new role than he had been as his family's sheep keeper:

David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers. Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.” Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him (1 Samuel 16:21-23).

Little did David know that he had just been enrolled in Saul Academy, a place run by a family that would impact his life for the next 25 years. Yet his place in class was obtained and secured by the Lord God Himself. God had things to teach David and that was the only place he could learn them. While he was there, God expected David to maintain his own high standards while those around him were serving a madman. That's some kind of training.

Where does the Lord have you? Have you assumed there is nothing for you to learn where you are? Have you lost of sight of the fact that God sent you where you are and is watching you—and watching over you? Are you being productive despite your harsh or barren surroundings? As you answer those questions, think of David's example. God handpicked the Saul Academy for David and He has done the same for where you are. In the coming weeks, we will examine some of the lessons David learned at Saul's hand, but for now, just chew on the fact that God hired Saul as David's tutor and He has probably chosen some unusual instructors for you as well. It's your choice whether to run or learn from them. Have a blessed week.

Memo 1036: Disqualified

Last week, we began our series on the life of David, my goal being to collect lessons and inspiration to help each of us be people of creativity and purposeful work. We saw in our first entry that David was an afterthought to his family. Samuel had to prod them to find out David even existed. This week, let's look more closely at the root cause of this snub and oversight and how you can even be doing it to yourself.

"SURELY THIS IS THE ONE"

Samuel came with the intent to anoint a new king to replace Saul but, needing to keep that information from Saul, he informed the leaders he had come to conduct a public worship service. He specifically invited Jesse and his sons who obeyed and attended. We read,

Samuel replied, “I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:5-7).

When Eliab, the oldest son, came forward, Samuel assumed he was God's choice for he was tall and handsome. However, God dismissed him and all the other sons, having already decided that David was the one. God had weighed hearts and found only David's met the criteria He was looking for. That tendency to look at things as they are externally is a tendency we all have. It's hard not to look at the outward, visible things when considering who is capable of doing God's will. That also pertains to our self-evaluation, for we can be hard on ourselves, quick to dismiss our own potential when God assigns us a purpose or creative gifts.

NOT ME

When the Lord appeared to Gideon, He had a word for him: "When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, 'The Lord is with you, mighty warrior. . . Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?'” (Judges 6:12, 14). Yet Gideon refuted that word, a word he had received from a celestial being! “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family (Judges 6:15). You have probably done as Gideon did when you had a thought or inclination to go, write, innovate, learn, or speak on God's behalf. Before you could even get started, you shut yourself down, waiting for more confirmation.

And then there's the matter of the heart. We have been taught that the heart is wicked beyond description, not to be trusted and in need of constant renovation and regeneration. So even though there was something in David's heart that endeared him to the Lord, you don't think there is much in yours that could be the basis for your call or purpose. You look at how you are on the outside—how you speak or look, your age, gender, height, vocabulary, just to name a few—and disqualify yourself.

Consider, however, that God may have fulfilled a promise He made to Ezekiel in your life: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26). Perhaps you need to stop judging yourself as Samuel evaluated Jesse's sons—by looking at things that aren't important to the Lord. You have quoted the words Paul wrote when God has used you to explain your success: “'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me" (2 Corinthians 12:9).

It's time to allow God to have the final say in your life. Give Him permission to use you as He sees fit. He sees your heart and on that basis, you may qualify based on the work He has done there over the years. God is still in the business of evaluating His servants and His record is perfect and His insight impeccable. If He says you do it, I suggest you put your faith in His perspective. Have a blessed week!

Memo 1035: David: The Burning Question

As we start a new year, it's also time to start a new Monday Memo series. I had considered an end to the Memo in 2022, but it's such a rich source of publishing material for me, having led to 12 books from Memo content so far, that I decided to keep it going for a while longer. Since I want to finish a historical fiction novel on the life of David this year, I thought I would produce some Memos on David that would help me with that other project. Therefore, for the next few months, we are going to look at David's life experiences and see how they contributed to him being the man of purpose and creativity that he was. Let's get started.

A FORGOTTEN SON

We know more about David's life than we do anyone else in the Bible, except perhaps for Moses. We follow David's purpose path from the time he was a child until his death. We also have access to some of his creative material in the psalms, which gives us even more insight into the man. His impact on his people was so deep that today, 3,000 years after his death, Israel still considers itself the people of David with their nation's flag featuring his star. And the Christian church uses his lyrics to sing and meditate, which gives us an idea of the size of this man's gifts and role in history. He's a most worthy subject for our study and emulation, for he was a man full of the Spirit before the Spirit was poured out at Pentecost.

The first reference to David is found in 1 Samuel 13, even though he is not mentioned by name when Samuel told Saul, "But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command" (1 Samuel 13:14). We eventually learn that this man after God's heart is none other than David. Then when it was time for Samuel to reveal who that man was and anoint him, we read,

Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives" (1 Samuel 16:10-12).

Now let me pose a question or maybe several questions. Here was a young man who we see was handsome, anointed, gifted, brave, and destined for greatness—chosen by God even. We learn that he was loved by many, some even risking their lives just to get him a drink from his favorite home fountain. Given all that, why didn't his father consider him as worthy to come before Samuel for consideration to be king? What was going on in that family that caused such an oversight? And why were none of David's family members ever a part of his royal administration or even mentioned when David came to national prominence? It's as if Samuel asked, "Do you have any other sons?" and Jesse had to think for a minute, snapped his fingers, and then replied, "Oh yeah, I forgot about the youngest." And when David became famous, he returned the favor by forgetting about his family, especially his brothers.

THE WHY

Some surmise that the reason Jesse did not think of him because David was the product of an illicit relationship between Jesse and another woman. They base that conjecture on David's handling of his relationships with his wives later in life. Others would say that his father overlooked him because he had high hopes for his older sons and didn't want the youngest to interfere with those plans according to local custom. Whatever the reason, David was his family's afterthought but he was in the forefront of God's plans, starting a dynasty that is still alive and well because Jesus, the Son of David, sits on an eternal throne.

Perhaps your family has been a source of pain rather than blessing for you? Or maybe you have a sibling or child who you have overlooked because they don't meet your criteria for future success? If it's the former, be encouraged that your family heritage has nothing to do with God's choice, unless you allow it to. And if you identify more with the latter, it's time to pray and ask God to open your eyes so you can see those around you, maybe even closest to you, as He sees them, allowing Him to overrule your bias.

Whatever the case, David proves that God has the final say where purpose and creative gifts are concerned. It's important in our families, churches, and businesses that we see others as God sees them and make room for them. It's vital too that we not judge our own effectiveness based on the opinions of others but rather on God's word and perspective. Ultimately, we must put our faith in God who found David when no one else was looking for him. He will do the same for you and make a place for you and your gifts, if you don't buy into the opinion of others where your future is concerned. Have a blessed week.

Memo 1034: Follow Your Star

This week I present a New Year's Memo from the archives about the Magi. I will resume writing fresh Memos next week, but in the meantime, Happy New Year!

 

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WHO WERE THOSE MEN?

 

Who were those wise men known as Magi who came from the east to visit Jesus and bring him gifts? (You can read this brief story by at Matthew 2:1-12.) We aren't really sure. We also don't know what they were looking for as they studied the heavens and what kind of star they saw that caused them to follow it hundreds of miles to find an infant king.

 

There were probably more than three men who came to see Jesus, but we have numbered them as three since they brought three gifts of myrrh, incense, and gold. They rode on camels for days, weeks even, not sure of what they would find when they arrived. Now that's faith! When they did arrive, they checked in with King Herod, convinced that he would know where the royal infant was. It is interesting that the wise men knew more of what was going on spiritually in Herod's kingdom than Herod did.

 

By the time the Magi arrived, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus were living in a house, not in a stable. The men came some time after the night the shepherds went to see Jesus in the manger. Since Herod carefully ascertained when the star had first appeared and then had all the male babies two years of age and under killed in Bethlehem, the Magi could have arrived as much as two years after Jesus' birth. That's a long time to watch and follow a star.

 

FOLLOW YOUR OWN STAR

 

You will need God's help if you are to find and fulfill your purpose. That's not a problem, however, for God is in the business of helping people like you clarify your purpose. When Jesus was born, His star appeared and led those who were interested directly to his home. The same thing can happen today for you. God can lead and guide you right where you need to be at exactly the time when you need to be there. Often when you can't see your purpose, you aren't quite ready to find it. Yet if you keep searching and following just like the Magi did, your star will appear and suddenly your PurposeQuest will make sense.

 

As we prepare to celebrate a new year, I urge you to follow in the footsteps of the Magi. Wise men and women still seek Jesus and, as they do, they find purpose. I pray that 2019 will be a year of purpose and productivity the likes of which you have never seen, imagined or enjoyed. I also pray that when you find the star and follow it, you will end up where the Magi did—worshiping the King and giving Him gifts. There is no greater gift than devoting and dedicating the fulfillment of your purpose to Christ and His kingdom. That is what I plan on doing in the year ahead.

 

From all the Stanko household, we wish you a very happy, prosperous and purposeful New Year!