So Saul said, “Bring a burnt offering and peace offerings here to me.”  And he offered the burnt offering.  — 1 Samuel 13:9

Saul was supposed to wait on Samuel to offer the sacrifice but ended up offering it himself.  When I read about Saul, I often get the feeling that he cares more about what the people think than what God thinks.  As long as the people think he is good with the Lord, he really doesn’t mind not being good with the Lord. 

I hate it when I realize that I haven’t truly trusted in the Lord.  Too often, I will take matters into my hands and not bother giving my heavenly Father the opportunity to take care of things.  If I saw my own kids trying to take care of things that were my responsibility to take care of, I’d be hurt.  Yet, it doesn’t cross my mind that I could be making God feel the same way.

My family was in Seattle Washington over the Labor Day weekend.  Minus the stress of simply navigating the place, I had a great time.  The time change messed with me a good bit.  I was just out of my routines and was feeling far from the Lord.  I was super tense and getting these nagging stress headaches.  Normally, I am chill and full of peace. 

The time came for us to go home on Labor Day.  We had to return a rental car and take a shuttle to the airport.  If you can avoid it, don’t rent a car in Seattle.  Anyway, we built in what we thought was more than enough time.  After we returned the car, the line for the shuttle was uncomfortably long.  I was doing math in my head to see how many shuttles we would have to watch leave before we got on one.  I was silently praying, “Lord, please get us home!”  I felt that tug of war of simply trusting God and taking matters in my own hands.

I pulled open the Uber app.  A car was a minute away and would take us to the airport for $30.  I was about to take the ride when a shuttle pulled up and loaded a big group.  I closed the app, prayed for peace in my heart, and waited.  The shuttles came quickly and before I knew it, we were on our way.  We passed the exit to the airport, and the cars were backed up a long way.  I knew instantly that if I’d taken the Uber, we would have been even worse off.  I silently thanked the Lord for not allowing me to solve my own problem.  I thanked Him for simply working in my life like He has.

I know that seems like a silly example, but it was such a huge reminder to me to “trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5). It’s amazing how quickly my heart gravitates toward my flesh and my feelings.  This morning, I meditate on how close I am to being like Saul and ask the Lord to give me a trusting heart.

Yes, Jesus is the truth the way

That leads you into rest

Believe in Him without delay

And you are truly blest

Lord, if there is one thing I’ve learned, You are truly the author and finisher of my faith.  Help me learn to not lean on my own understanding and always acknowledge You in all my ways.  Lead me, guide me, and protect me, Lord, for there is no other who saves like You.  Amen.