The Boy Who Would Be King
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Sculpture: “A Safe Place“, by Sherman Coleman, MD. Created specifically by the artist for Laity Lodge.
[Note from the Proprietor: This post marks another of an as-yet unknown number of articles I’ll be sharing with you, based upon thoughts, meditations and/or observations made during our June ‘08 retreat at Laity Lodge.]
Do you have high aspirations, but haven’t seen any progress as yet? Well Bubba, you ain’t alone! It’s a somewhat common ailment throughout history, wondering about our own hidden potential, don’cha think?
Consider, for a few moments, the plight of this young fellow named David…
He Was Only a Shepherd Boy
As a young man, he spent his days tending sheep. Admittedly, it wasn’t the most fashionable of occupations; to the rest of his society, shepherds were pretty much the lowest of the low.
Though maybe still a little vague about the ramifications, his real ambition was to serve in the army like his brothers, and maybe one day he would. But still, somebody had to watch the sheep; after all, it was an important responsibility. And so, being the youngest of seven sons, he’s the one who ended up with the job.
As careers go, sheep tending could hardly be equated with leadership training. Maybe one could make a case for resource management, but still. Of course, the job was not without its dangers. Poachers, bears, wolves, and the occasional lion - still, he knew how to take care of himself, and he was pretty good with a slingshot. In fact, he had the dressed skins of several bears and lions to prove it.
He turned out to be a very good shepherd. He knew the country well, and had a knack for finding the best pastures with the softest, greenest grass. He even took the time to clear out those pesky stinging nettles so his sheep could graze with confidence. Other, hireling shepherds hardly ever bothered with that practice - hey, they’re only sheep, right? But he really cared about them. He never failed to take into account their instinctive fear of shifting, rippling water, only taking them to still, clear pools - the kind they liked best.
The sheep trusted him. Anyone could see it by the way they followed him without reservation, no matter where he took them. Sometimes getting his sheep to that perfect pasture meant taking a path that seemed scary or dangerous. But he was always quick with his shepherd’s crook, ready to rescue any who might have gotten confused, or stumbled, or strayed from the path he’d chosen for them. And in the most dangerous spots, he kept his staff at the ready - no wild animals worried him!
In fact, he knew his sheep so well, he gave each one their own name. It was quite amazing, really, to specifically know every one of his flock. But for him, it was no trouble at all; he’d spent so much time with them he could identify their personalities - and their quirks. He knew their individual likes and dislikes, how they would respond to a sudden thunderstorm or animal attack, and how well they followed his lead. He knew them inside and out.
The Shepherd Boy - face detail
Sitting out there in the wilderness, day after day and night after night, he had plenty of time to think. He wondered what life would bring his way. Would he ever join the army, fight the enemies of Israel, meet a wife or have a family? For a young man, there were lots of important things to dream about.
He also sang - a lot.
He sang to the stars and to his faithful audience of sheep as they settled in for the night. He sang about God’s righteousness, and His overwhelming love of His people. He sang about how God had protected His people, even in the face of overwhelming odds. He sang about how God provided for his nation of Israel, even while they were still slaves back in Egypt. And he sang of how God finally led them to their own rich and promised land.
Even when he wasn’t singing, though, he thought about God. He began to realize that God’s relationship with Israel was actually quite similar to the one between himself and his own flock. I mean, really similar. Astoundingly similar. In fact, the more he thought about it, he came to the amazing conclusion it was exactly the same.
That thought so moved him one day, he wrote down these words:
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Somehow, those lines seemed especially poignant. What’s more; as he grew older and his life began to change, every time he remembered those tender words he’d written out there in that pasture, they seemed to blossom with even richer depth. And it was no understatement to say their beautiful timelessness blessed and comforted him every single day of his long and extraordinary life.
But for now, that was still in the unknowable future. For now - there were only sheep. He looked after them, provided for them, and protected them. This, after all, was his life.
He didn’t know things would change one day, and had no idea what great things God had in store for him. For now, there were no choices to make. There were, as yet, no encouraging words, no symbolic signposts; in fact there were no indications at all that life would ever be different for him.
No; right here, right now - it was all he needed to be: a good shepherd.
He had no idea that one day, he would be… king.
What Are You Doing… Right Now?
The Shepherd Boy - side view
Sometimes it’s easy to get discouraged when things don’t seem to be working out the way we think they should. Hey, I feel for ya, my friends; I’ve been there too. Seems like most of us have, don’cha know? So the question is, what’s a body to do?
Well, I’d humbly suggest we could all take a lesson from our young friend David who, ironically enough, despite the most humble of youthful beginnings, ended up becoming the most famous - and best - King the nation of Israel ever had.
At the time, though, he had no plan for his future - and no future to plan for. Back then, most people did the same thing their whole lives, and it was rare for someone to “change his station” in life. The fact is, it would still be some time before the events that led him to the throne would begin to unfold. (Not to mention the minor detail that Israel already had a king.)
No, he simply concentrated on being the absolute best he could be at the only thing he knew to do - keep the sheep.
So are you waiting? Hoping? Praying? Are you sittin’ on the dock of the bay, waiting for your ship to come in? Then I have a question for you: What are you responsible for right now? Are you taking care of business with diligence and care? No matter what it is, you can’t go wrong honing those skills.
Besides, you may be surprised how they’ll pay off in the long run - when the time is right.
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Sculpture: “A Safe Place“, by Sherman Coleman, MD. Created specifically by the artist for Laity Lodge.
Photo credits:
The Shepherd Boy, by Robert Hruzek
The Shepherd Boy - face detail, by Robert Hruzek
The Shepherd Boy - side view, by Robert Hruzek
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Psalm 23 is from the The Bible, Contemporary English Version.
If you liked this article and would like to read other posts inspired by my retreat at Laity Lodge, see:
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22 responses so far
Middle Zone Musings is a comfortable place to stop, have a cup of coffee, swap a few stories and share practical ideas for the real world. I don't ask for much, just a bit of your brain every now and then. Have a seat, take a load off, and relax...
Superb post, Robert! Over and over and over in the Bible, God chooses the humble and meek to shake the world. Even Moses is described in the Bible as being the meekest man on Earth. What is God trying to tell us? If we do the best we can with what’s in front of us, there’s no telling where it will lead. I was thinking about your very theme last night, because I completed a client job that didn’t go smoothly. I was making excuses but then it occurred to me that what I really needed to do was find a better project management system. It’s going to be a hassle, but I was thinking, it has be done, otherwise I’m settling for mediocrity. Sorry for the rambling response, but as usual you have me thinking in twelve directions at once.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..What’s Your Ideal Writing Weekend?
This one warmed my heart, because sometimes it is so hard to see how our skills can come together for a future good when we’re languishing today.
@Brad - Glad this article helped you out, Brad (I’m assuming it helped, anyway!) Yes, the Bible is full of great examples of this very thing. Sometimes we get so caught up in planning and working towards (worthy) goals, we forget to do the job we’re in the middle of right now!
Hey, ramble all you want to, Brad. It’s the Middle Zone, after all; you can’t get lost. Just go 99 miles in any direction, walk up to the first person you see and ask, “Where the heck am I?” He’ll help you out.
@Karen - Perseverance and yes, Faith can help us keep going even in the absence of road signs, Karen. I know you’re in for a tough time ahead; we’ll lift you up as much as we can. Keep on doin’ what you know you need to do. We’ll keep the light on for ya.
Robert,
This is beautiful and inspiring. We all want the glory but we don’t always want to do the dirty work. You’ve reminded us that God uses the weakest and the least and that the dirty jobs are important to Him.
Today, these words have such new meaning (I have recited them thousands of times before). Thanks, Robert, you gave me goosebumps.
@Lillie - Thanks, that’s so true. Everything has its purpose and place, if we’ll just relax and see. Most of the time, we’re too busy. (And by “we’re” I mean “me”! *sigh*)
@Iknownot - Hey, I appreciate that more than you can know.
Oh, and by the way, about those goose bumps? I think there’s a cream for that now…
[...] As careers go, sheep tending could hardly be equated with leadership training. Maybe one could make a case for resource management, but still. Of course, the job was not without its dangers. Poachers, bears, wolves, and the occasional lion - still, he knew how to take care of himself, and he was pretty good with a slingshot. In fact, he had the dressed skins of several bears and lions to prove it.… Read More. [...]
Robert,
I love these posts of yours which give me a lot to think about. It reminds me of my former job as secretary here at the Berlin University of the Arts. It had nothing to do with my education and training, but it was a job as good as any other job and it had to be done well, and I tried my best. I think it shows when people are giving their best at their jobs, and it show also, when they don’t. How much nicer is it to sit in a café where the service is eager to to its best!
Ullas last blog post..Looking across the Water
You’re absolutely right, Ulla - when people put themselves into their work, it really stands out! It’s an inner attitude, not a matter of training. What’s really great is how that attitude makes us more easily able to recognize opportunity when it comes along!
Robert,
What a beautiful, inspiring, and encouraging post! It aims right for the heart, and makes me use my brain. What a great reminder that in God’s eyes I am doing the important things He intended for me, and that with true faith in Him and His intent for my life, my future will hold something great, as well. I will be praying about that…
Thank you so much and have a very blessed day!
Lisa
Lisas last blog post..Tuesday’s Tips and Tidbits
Thank you for your kind words, Lisa; I’m encouraged, knowing you gained something from reading it.
Cheers!
So true, Robert!
The story of David is indeed an inspiring one! Though you don’t cover it here, I think it’s significant that, along with everything else he accomplished during his youth, he had to vanquish Goliath before he reached the pinnacle of success. That courageous encounter not only showed what he was made of but also helped prepare him — and prepare the way for him — to become king of Israel. (All his other encounters with the various predators that stalked his flock were also part of that preparation for leadership.) These experiences, along with his proactive responses to them, demonstrated to the people he would later rule that he was indeed monarch material.
The application for us here, I think, in the context of our discussion, is that we, too, must vanquish our “Goliaths” before we can realize our full potential. Most of us have a “Goliath” or two in our lives, looming large before us, hemming us in, and preventing us from moving forward. As long as we let these giants stand there, towering over, taunting, threatening, and robbing us of courage and confidence, we’ll never enjoy more than modest success in life. Yet, when we take the small, smooth stones of faith, hope, vision, and determination, place them in our metaphorical sling shots and let them fly, we’re amazed at how easily these seemingly formidable opponents fall.
David may have started out as a lowly shepherd boy; but his big heart, big vision, big courage, and big faith virtually guaranteed his success — and they can do the same for us.
You’ve definitely given us a great deal of motivational food for thought in this post, Robert! Thanks for sharing the delightfully inspiring story of King David!
Gosh, Jeanne - I was planning on writing a follow up covering the very thing you talked about here, but I guess I don’t need to now!
It makes a fascinating study to examine each pivotal point in David’s life. You can see how every event and every step builds upon the experiences of the previous ones. God led David step by step to where He wanted him to be.
Despite a few flubs, he still ended up “a man after God’s own heart”. Now that’s something we can all aspire to!
Yes indeed the job would’ny have been easy for sure! Sheep tending is indeed the job full of dangers. Poachers, bears, wolves oh my god I could’nt even imagine! All great man start from the bottom and have firm determination with brave attitude like we saw here. I liked this post a lot and here it is I am digging it: http://digg.com/users/choicefreedom20/history
Why thank you for the Digg, Miss (or is it Ms.?) I’m honored! Now let’s see, it only needs about a billion more Diggs…
Nobody really thinks about that much these days, but it was a dangerous (and relatively thankless) job back then. No fences to keep critters at bay. It turned out to be great training, though, and it showed.
Glad you dropped by - come back again!
Oh, Robert, I’m so sorry! Didn’t mean to head you off at the pass on that one! I briefly wondered why you hadn’t mentioned it and had the fleeting thought that you might possibly be planning to bring it up in a later post. Should have gone with that first instinct! (Hope you can forgive me!)
Please do write about it anyway! I’m sure you have many wonderful insights about the impact that episode had on David’s life and its application to our lives which will benefit your readers immensely — besides which, many people don’t even read all the comments on a post! I just know your post will be fantastic and would hate to have all your readers (including me) miss out simply because I happened to get a little carried away with your planned topic. (Just think of how many sermons have been preached about David and Goliath. If all the preachers can do it, surely there’s room for both you and I to share our thoughts about that famous Biblical encounter — though I suppose it would have been a bit better if I hadn’t done so on your blog! :-/ In the future, I’ll definitely have to try to be a bit more sensitive to the clues!)
Again, my sincerest apologies!
Jeanne
Jeanne, no worries; I was just kidding about being headed off at the pass! As if anything could stop me from writing something that fell out on the page…
No, I’m sure there’s a story or two still in there, waiting to be told. Just have to kick-start the ol’ Muse and get ‘em going…
Please, always feel free to comment as much as you want!
Robert Hruzeks last blog post..Exciting Week Ahead!
How very gracious of you, Robert! Realized you weren’t totally serious (Could it have been that little winking smiley face that tipped me off?) but still felt bad that I’d “let the cat out of the bag”! Thanks for your understanding! You are a true gentleman (and a scholar)!
Jeanne
Aw shucks, Jeanne - now yer makin’ me blush!
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