Just Like Everyone Else

So there's this story with a guy named Samuel and a guy named God. Samuel is a judge and God well...he's God (with a big G). In this story, God has people. I guess it's more accurate to say he has a people. He considers the families of Israel to be his special people. These people are pretty ticked with Samuel and his family. You see, Samuel was getting kind of old and had his sons to take over the family business. The only problem is that his sons were corrupt. When your "judicial system" is corrupt, I guess it doesn't matter whose people you are, you get ticked.

So, the leaders of Israel met with Samuel to discuss the matter (I picture it's like the clans of Scotland coming together to argue in the movie Braveheart). They tell Samuel that he's old and that his sons aren't following in his footsteps. Then they simply request that they want a king. My favorite part is that their entire rationale is based upon one premise. These people want a king simply because they want to be like all the other nations of the world - they want to be just like everyone else. God reassures Samuel that they are not rejecting their judge but they are, in fact, rejecting the king they already have - the God that calls them his people.

My first thought is how absurd these people are. But then I think how often I react the same way they did...I'm really no different. All I want sometimes is to be like everyone else - or at least I want to be the way I perceive everyone else to be.  I want to substitute the divine for a 24 hour quick fix, designer jean wearing, card carrying "king" that will finally get me what I want. I mean isn't it really about what I want...isn't it about me? Most of the time it is.

I recently had a thought that I have never been mentored the way I hear of others being mentored. I feel like I haven't been invested in like I read in books and spiritual fairy tales and such. I ask, "Why can't I learn what to do rather than learn what not to do?" Then God speaks. He simply says, "Why can't I mentor you? Why must you be just like everyone else? Why can't I be your guide on this journey?" Then I shut up.

I'm not different than any of the people in this story. I probably would have been the first to walk up to the old man and tell him he's outdated and that his boys are punks. I would have raised my fist into the crisp air and clamored for a king. "A king, just like everyone else!" I'm pathetic. I feel like I'm in junior high. Like when I needed a pair of Reebok Pumps or the blue and gray Air Jordan’s because those were my school colors (Can you hear "Too Legit" playing in the background?). Yeah, it kind of feels like that. Nausea.

Well, welcome to my journey. Maybe some of us will enjoy walking the journey together.

Bible Reference: The Old Testament - 1 Samuel 8