Israel, in Bible times, was originally ruled by the judges. Samuel was one of those judges. The people of Israel wanted to be ruled by a King just like the other nations. So God , after warning them of the consequences of having a king, gave them what they wanted, a King, King Saul. Samuel was the man who anointed Saul as King and the era of the kings began. Saul ended up being a disaster in leadership and the Kingdom was taken away from him and his family. The Bible records this phrase with regards to Saul’s rule. “And the Lord regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel.” 1 Samuel 15:35 NIV.

A few years ago the perfect storm in my life began. I was working where I felt like God wanted me, Women’s ministry. My husband was working with the Men’s ministry. Our kids pretty well made up the youth Worship band at our church. Our whole family was working together at our local church. Things seemed to be going well. But then the storm started and before I knew it my husband and I were sitting at home on Sunday morning, churchless, friends scattered, and trying to navigate a season of family members with serious illnesses, painful relationship issues, stress, and a lot of hurt. With the attitude of just being done oozing from the both of us .

More than once we have reminisced over the fish frys we used to throw, parties, groups we organized to go to the every other month retreats with the ministry we worked with. Missing people, friends, and the fun. Thinking about where it all went wrong.

Then the story of Samuel and Saul came to my mind: Samuel pronounced the judgement Saul was going to receive for his actions, and then the Bible says Samuel did not go to see Saul again. He mourned Saul. God finally spoke to Samuel about the situation he had endured. “The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.””

How long are you going to sit there mourning what was? Time to get back up and go toward what will be. I was struck today by something said at a Bible study I attend. One of the goals of our enemy, satan, is to get us to just freeze. If he can get us to be knocked down and out of fear refuse to get back up and engage again, he has won. All the while, God is saying, “Hey fill your horn with oil and be on your way.” God did not call us to an extended sit down and do nothing with Him. It is a walk, a journey, moving forward, being on our way.

Things probably will never be like what we did before the perfect storm knocked us down, but that doesn’t mean the future doesn’t hold something just as exciting and fulfilling. God is not done. “Get up, get filled up, and be on your way!”