2 Sep, 2008
You Picked Who?
John McCain's selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to be his vice presidential running mate is a stunning surprise almost certain to recalibrate the race heading into the fall election.
While Palin was among those mentioned -- she cracked The Fix's Veepstakes Line on several occasions -- she was never seen as a serious contender: too young (she is in her early 40s), too inexperienced (she has been governor for less than two years) and from a state, in Alaska, that is not regarded as a battle ground.
When Palin gave birth to her fifth child, a son named Trig Paxson, in April and announced he had Down Syndrome, she was widely ruled out of the veepstakes. But, conversations obviously continued outside public view.
Palin's newness on the national scene is both her greatest strength and her biggest weakness.
Partial story and photo courtesy of WashingtonPost.com 8/29/08
1 Samuel 16:6-13
6 When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord's anointed is before him.” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 9 Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 And Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here.” 12 And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he.” 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah. (ESV)
What does God's Story scripture teach us about how we are chosen?
God has, throughout history, made a habit of making surprising selections for people to do His work. Moses, Joseph, Esther and a whole slew of others appeared to be shocking selections at the time when God called them...but in the end they were used in mighty ways.
In today's scripture, David, who was the youngest of all of his brothers and a simple sheep herder, was selected by God to be King of Israel! At one point in this selection process, Samuel thought for sure he had things figured out...but God corrects him in verse 7 when He says, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature...For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart."
It is of great importance that we learn that God is not concerned with what we know or who we know. He doesn't care how well we perform at school or how many awards we receive in sports or in the arts. He isn't worried with how we look or if we are wearing the right labels. What He IS concerned with is our hearts and that they are connected to Him.
A second lesson from today's passage is for us to understand that God is the one who does the selecting...and He has chosen you. In John 15:16 we hear Jesus saying, "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last." Yes, we have responded to His invitation, but it is He who did the initiating.
Isn't that awesome to know that the God of the universe has chosen you to do His work!?!
How can we connect God's Story to our lives?
In today's story, we see Governor Palin being selected for possibly filling one of the most important positions in our country. This comes despite the fact that she is too young, too inexperienced and not from a state that is all that important. Analysts say that there were numerous other choices that made more sense or had better qualifications.
We, as people that God has chosen, could probably think of a lot of others who are more "qualified" to do His work...or are more "worthy" to be called His child. Whenever you hear this lie from the enemy being placed in your heart or mind, simply remember the truth...God has chosen you...for a purpose!
And because of this we can celebrate with everything we have. Take a minute to stop and praise our God for this undeserved and wonderful gift of relationship with Him.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story and our story to others?
Though we praise God that He has chosen us, let's be careful not to miss the second part of that verse in John 15. It says that we were chosen and appointed to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last.
God called David (though young he was) to lead millions of Israelites. That same God has called us to reach out to our friends and family. He has appointed us to share the Good News. Perhaps that could start with a simple conversation about this surprising political choice and how you feel about being "chosen". May we be faithful to bear fruit that will last.
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- December 2006 [4]
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