So here we are…trapped in a spiritual cave we don’t want to be in. Let’s just be honest here: sometimes God’s methods are not super fun. When God put a dream in my heart and a skip in my step to go out and change the world for Him, I thought it would be filled with bright sunshine-y days and amusement park fun.
Some days have been like that. But other days, I’ve felt stuck in a dark cave. I really don’t like caves. Just ask my hubby. We recently went to stay in our cabin in Arkansas and decided to go out and explore. We found a really cool cave. My hubby thought it would be fun to drive into it and get out to look around. I practically had a panic attack when he attempted to pull up in there. I forced him to get me out immediately! I hate darkness.
I’m sure that’s how David felt in his cave. The good ol’ cave of Adullam was his home for a while:
David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. And when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. 2 And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul,[a] gathered to him. And he became commander over them. And there were with him about four hundred men. 1 Samuel 22: 1-2
Imagine this: not only are you having to deal with your own junk and the rejection you continually face because of Saul, but now you gotta help all of these other sour-faced folks showing up to your cave! Fun times!!! 400 or so people looking to you for guidance and spiritual support when you don’t even have a home, a kingdom to call your own. All you have is a calling from God.
Oh…….did I mention a calling from God??? Hmmmmmmm
A calling from God to help people. To encourage them. To lead them. To shepherd them.
It doesn’t matter where you are in your life right now…..a job you hate (cave), stuck at home all day(cave), a tough relationship(cave), a transition that never seems to end(cave) etc, you still have a calling from God.
Sometimes God uses those cave times to develop character in us and purify our motives. Can we help people when we don’t get paid for it? Or we won’t get any recognition? When there’s no position or title handed to us? Can we do it just because we love God and it’s our calling?
So my fellow cave dwellers who are currently trapped in obscurity but still love God and want to do the right thing and now grieve the holy spirt, (gosh, that was a long phrase, gotta take a breath), I implore you to not give up in your cave. Help the people God sends to you. Grieve with the ones broken and bruised. Bandage up the wounds of the devastated souls in your midst. Do it because you love God and it’s the right thing to do.
And I promise when you start to walk out your calling even in crappy circumstances, your joy will return. Full force even!
God be with you, and God be with me as we trudge on for Him.
