So It’s Not Your Turn

Synopsis     Judges 7:19-25     6/19/2018

So Gideon and his three-hundred men approached the Midianite camp just after the changing of the guard. They stood fast, shouting and blowing their horns. The Midianites and their allies were so panicked that they fled. And they  fought with one another as they attempted to get away. They ran south and east toward the river Jordan.

The Israelites from the northern tribes were called to arms, including men from Ephraim. All of the Israelite forces pursued the broken Midianite army. The Ephraimites captured the two princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb, and killed them.

Remaining Ready

Not all the soldiers could remain with Gideon. If there were more than three-hundred in the original assault, then God’s will would have been frustrated.

But the forces that Gideon had sent away remained ready to answer the call. As a result, the men were assembled quickly into forces that pursued the Midianites over the next day.

So It’s Not Your Turn

Not everyone can be a missionary in an exotic, foreign nation. Not everyone is called or gifted to speak to multitudes. Not everyone gets the consolation or satisfaction of seeing the fulfillment of their work. Here’s what the saint said:

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.  Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.  Be kind anyway

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.  Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you.  Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.  Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.  Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten.  Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.  Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.  It was never between you and them anyway.

Saint Teresa of Calcutta

“but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope” 1 Peter 3:15