“Adrianna” is a zealous Catholic, a woman of prayer, and a reliable servant in her parish. Something inside her keeps suggesting that she be a catechist and work with young children in the Church. A logical step for her is to step out and enroll in catechetical training classes. Each time this idea crosses her mind, however, another voice in her head argues her down. She thinks, “I am too old to start school again,” “I am not the type to teach classes,” “I have little academic background and would not be able to keep up with the demands of such training,” “Even if I get the training, the catechist roll may not fit me,” and so on. So for years Adrianna ignores the nudge that she step forward and become equipped for this vital ministry in the Church.
What is going on with Adrianna? What obstacle is keeping her from signing up for a class? We all know the answer to this question; it is fear. Adrianna is afraid to change, afraid she won’t measure up, afraid of what others might think of her, afraid she is making a mistake. Fear blocks her from developing her gift and deprives her parish and its children of the graces God could give through her.
Most of us have an “Adrianna” inside ourselves. We struggle between taking a new step for God and being held back by our fears.
Today, we find out that even the great Samuel dealt with fears. God called him to take a bold, new step, and Samuel was afraid to do so. How did God and Samuel resolve this problem (see 1 Samuel 16:1-23)?
Saul had become a miserable failure as Israel’s king. God rejected him and had a plan for getting a replacement. Samuel was the key figure in working with God to bring this about. This holy man was reluctant to cooperate. So, God gave him a “pep talk.”
“How long will you grieve for Saul, whom I have rejected as king of Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and be on your way, I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have chosen my king from among his sons.”
What do you think Samuel did? Do you think he ran out quickly to the garage, got a flask of oil, packed his suitcase, and set his GPS for Bethelem? Not exactly.
“But Samuel replied, ‘How can I go? Saul will hear of it and kill me.’”
Samuel, instead of running out to get the oil, remained frozen in fear. He knew what a violent, vengeful man Saul was, and once Saul heard that Samuel was getting ready to anoint a replacement king, he would surely set out to kill Samuel.
How do you think God handled Samuel’s objection? Did he have a talk with him about fear or how to trust in God’s protection? Did he sit down and reason with Samuel? Let’s see.
“To this the Lord answered: ‘Take a heifer along and say, “I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.” Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I myself will tell you what to do.’”
God ignored the “fear” objection. Instead he gave further instructions. He anticipated Samuel’s question, “What will I do when I get there?” and told him to do preparations for a sacrifice. He told him how to approach Jesse once he reached Bethlehem. God got Samuel’s mind off Saul, and set his attention on the future instead of the past. He didn’t give Samuel time to let his thoughts about Saul control him. In effect God said “Get your eyes off Saul and get them on me.”
Samuel acted and God’s plan worked. Things were a little complicated at first when Samuel started checking out Jesse’s sons, but in the end God made it clear to him that young David was his choice. From this simple act of obedience, God planted the seed for a new, glorious era in the history of Israel. Obedience won over fear!
There is so much for us to learn here. God has a plan for each of us. It is a daring plan, and we are hesitant to fill our flasks and be on our way to “Bethlehem.” The more we wrestle with our fears and objections, the more we start losing the “obedience” battle. We can listen to our excuses or we can listen to the voice of God that tells us to take the first step forward. He will cue us in on what to do next after we make that first act of obedience.
It doesn’t take much research to realize that the Church is losing the battle with the world. We need thousands of disciples to step up, ignore their fears, and answer God’s call. God wants to use us to win souls. There are hundreds of “David’s” out there waiting for us Samuel’s to call them forth. Will we move forward and take the first step or will we remain stuck in fear?
“I have found David, my servant, and with holy oil I have anointed him” (Ps 89:22).
