Wake Up & Get on Post: People are counting on you

It’s not about you. In fact, it’s never been about just you. Generations are counting on you.

I think for a long time, I hid in my cave, enjoyed the comfort of isolation, and settled in less than God’s best because I was focused on preserving myself, protecting my emotions, and fleeing from my fears. As time progressed, hiding had less to do with my past trauma and more to do with hiding from people who were intimidated by my light. I used to hide my identity behind the guise of people-pleasing to settle the minds of those who eyed me from afar (like David hid from Saul). My discernment would warn me they weren’t for me, but old rejection wounds influenced me to fit in, and by doing so, I dimmed my light for their benefit. Thankfully, I am out of the cave named trauma, shame, guilt, condemnation, and “The Fear of Men.” But many of God’s people, like David, are still on the run. They fear for their lives and escape and settle in the wilderness. If that’s you, I dare you to come out and watch God defend you. You were created for His glory, not the cave. I also want to highlight David’s story and how, without knowledge (due to hasty decisions), David’s hiding harmed him and his family and hundreds of generations.

In 1 Samuel 22, David escapes Saul to the cave of Adullam. He must have thought he was alone, but David’s fear and actions implicate many others. “David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there. All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their commander. About four hundred men were with him” 1 Samuel 22:1-2 (NIV). David’s family, along with the 400 men who escaped to the cave, all have a destiny and a purpose to fulfill, and some are even tied to David, but because they observe that David, the same David who challenged and killed Goliath, is on the run from Saul, they join him. We may not know what these people were thinking. Yet, their actions communicate that if David feared for his life and fled, then why should they stay and fight and deal with life head-on? While we may not want to hear it, someone is watching us, counting on us, and praying we show up because they want to step forward, but they have never seen it done before. We are the example; God called us first to help build their courage. So, who are we to hide?

David should have prayed first, but he prayed after he ran. God’s presence was with him throughout his cave season, yes. Still, there are some things that we must accomplish outside of the wilderness, requiring us to accept our identity in Christ wholeheartedly. It was not until David returned to his post in 2 Samuel and became King that his family and the men who fled along with him were restored. Some of us are praying for our family to be saved, but that’s all we want to do instead of pray and show up or pray and be the example they need. Others of us are trying to encourage our friends and co-workers to accept their calling, but we are merely giving them the word of God and not living the word of God. How do we expect them to respond?

While you have experienced some things that I can’t even imagine, I do know this: Glory awaits you and your loved ones on the other side of your cave. Will you break out?

I’m praying you do.

Be encouraged,

Love Monica T.