

In the same way Jesse presented seven sons before Samuel, but Samuel said to Jesse, "The Lord has not chosen any of these." Then Samuel asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?" 1 Samuel 16:10-11You have to imagine Samuel felt the same way in 1 Samuel, Chapter 16. He followed God's instructions and traveled to Bethlehem to anoint one of Jesse's son's. The problem was, God didn't tell Samuel, up front, which son it was. Instead, Jesse paraded son after son before Samuel. Each time, Samuel thought, "This must be the one." Each time, the Lord said, "No." Seven times this happened. What an emotional roller coaster for Samuel, no different from the one I rode with my son: "Maybe this is the club Zack will love," only to drive home frustrated. Fortunately, Samuel didn't give up. He kept looking. He asked Jesse if he had any more sons. Jesse did. But he'd been so sure his last son wasn't worthy, he hadn't included David in the meeting. In fact, he had David out in the field tending sheep. We all know how it goes from there. Because Samuel persisted, David was brought before him. The Lord concurred that David was the Chosen One. Samuel anointed him, and David became king. Spectacular history was made. That's what God wants for all of us. He's dreamed big dreams for each one of us; and He desperately wants us to fulfill them. But, like He did with Samuel, He doesn't tell us, up front, what those dreams are. Instead, He leaves us to discover them on our own. So we have to persist. Even when it looks like we've exhausted all our options, our David is still out in the field, waiting to be called forward. When we do search out the right dream, God will concur. Then we too will make spectacular history. I got to witness this first hand, twice over. Despite wanting to give up the hunt for Zack's passion, I just couldn't. I'm his mom; I want what's best for him. Now, not only is he fully invested in Lego Robotics (and programmed a robot that took his team to the State Championships), but he's just one belt away from getting his black belt in karate. Although the journey was challenging, it was definitely worth it in the end. Whether it's our own passion, or our children's, we can't give up the search. We have to keep looking. Otherwise, we rob the world of the gifts God wants to give through us. Pray with me: Dear God, Dreamer of our dreams, inspire me to persist when my David is still out in the field. Grant me the resolve to seek out my passion, and those of my children, so we can make spectacular history for You.
Copyright 2018 Claire McGarry
About the Author

Claire McGarry
Claire McGarry is the author of Grace in Tension: Discover Peace with Martha and Mary, and the Lenten family devotionals With Our Savior and Abundant Mercy. Claire is a regular contributor to Living Faith, and her freelance work has appeared in several books, magazines, and devotionals. She blogs weekly at Shifting My Perspective, and lives in New Hampshire with her husband and three children. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Amazon.
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