The old shepherds continue to say thank you

For the past two days, I've been thinking about David. I'm thinking about David because on Sunday I brought him up in a discussion with my team. I talked about the tendency to neglect the tasks entrusted to us. I recalled David and Nathan's words about him. Toward the beginning of his reign, Nathan explained to him on behalf of God how he was chosen from among many people even though he didn't seem like the ideal candidate. The one who previously followed the sheep was elevated to royalty. Yes, I'm talking about King David. It seems that David at some point suffered a momentary loss of memory, which caused Nathan to return to reprimand him and remind him where he came from. We won't go into the details of his escapades. Suffice it to say that his sense of honor and gratitude had rather dissipated.

It is human nature to come to take for granted the things we once celebrated; this leads in some cases, as was the case with David, to sin, and in others to neglect, to boredom produced by over-familiarity. We find ourselves thrust into places we thought we would never reach, we are entrusted with a task for which we considered ourselves so unqualified; we rejoice and appreciate the honor bestowed upon us. But soon familiarity sets in and the sense of privilege fades; we get busy, we get tired, and this much-loved responsibility can quickly turn into a burden that we try to shake off by complaining about all the cost. Sometimes we adopt an overly casual attitude, gradually if not quickly finding ourselves on the sidelines.

So I spoke about David to others on Sunday, but I myself have not been able to forget him since. I reflect on my attitude towards the responsibilities that God in His grace has placed in my hands. I rediscover the wonder and the sense of privilege regarding all that has been entrusted to my little person. I think of all the years when I was a million miles from seeing myself as I am or doing what I actually do professionally or in ministry. The road, of course, has been winding, marked by friendships, betrayals, misunderstandings, various and varied vicissitudes, failures and successes, a soap opera worthy of any television series. But how can I not recognize the fact that I have been given a life, gifts, abilities and influence that I in no way deserve.

Like me, you are a David, the one who once followed the sheep and finds himself propelled to a higher place. Others considered themselves smarter, more competent, cooler, younger than you, the right gender or color, therefore saw themselves perfect for the task entrusted to you, but it is you who God has chosen. His specialty is taking the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. So when you find yourself treating carelessly, getting irritated and complaining about something that you once felt honored to do, it is time to pause and remember where you came from, it is time to change your attitude, it is time to start celebrating again, it is time to renew gratitude. This is how boredom leaves and joy settles in.