1 Samuel 16 – How does God’s focus on the heart (rather than appearances) challenge you?
I find myself at a point in life where I’ve experienced both sides of mentorship. I’ve been blessed with strong mentors who built me up, supported me, guided me, believed in me, and saw potential in me that took years for me to discover. I’ve also had the privilege of serving as a mentor to others. These relationships have profoundly shaped my life and ministry.
I thought about these mentors and mentees as I recently reflected on the story of God calling Samuel to move beyond his allegiance to King Saul, seek out a new king, and anoint him. This new king, David, was far from the typical image of royalty, which made Samuel’s task even more challenging.
God’s call often comes with a cost. How many times has God shown up in someone’s life and called them to something difficult? Almost every time! God’s call is rarely easy. For Samuel, this moment was fraught with fear and uncertainty. He openly admits that he’s afraid this act could put a target on his back. I also wonder if Samuel wrestled with his own doubts: What did I do wrong in anointing and mentoring Saul that things turned out so badly? Who can guarantee this new king will be any different? Did I mishear God the first time? Am I hearing God correctly now?
Samuel might have even questioned his role in the process. Did God really need him to anoint a new king? Couldn’t another prophet handle this? Was it even responsible to place such authority on a youth he’d never met? It’s easy to imagine how Samuel could have talked himself out of obedience. Yet the story tells us that he was faithful. He found David and anointed him, trusting God’s direction.
This story challenges me to reflect on how I approach mentoring and supporting others. Do I set standards for whom I choose to invest in? If a situation feels too complex or challenging, do I pass it off to someone else? These are questions I hadn’t considered before. But as I think about Samuel’s faithfulness, I’m inspired to pray for that same courage and trust.
I hope Samuel’s story stays with me. The next time I’m called to come alongside someone in their journey, I pray I will recognize God’s grace at work in their life. May I not shy away from the difficulties and struggles of mentoring but instead embrace them, trusting that God’s call is always worth the cost.