I told you I can't think of good titles...

Have you ever felt like you're in between times? Not literal time, but stages in your life. Like you've come from where you were, but not quite reached where you're going? Of course, we'll always be changing and taking our lives to new levels as long as we live, but sometimes you can somehow manage get to a place where you just know you're right where God wants you to be. But those times between can sometimes be confusing. Many times when we're just acting on faith alone, things can be very unclear. Sure, we trust God, but might get a little impatient. When God calls us to do or be something we often expect Him to just stop our lives where they are and put us where we're called to be.

For me, I'm called to be a Youth Pastor. Sometimes I can get in this mindset of "Im so ready to just be there so I can finally be inside the plan God has for me!" Now that's not necessarily bad, but really, even though Im not a youth pastor yet, Im still living out the plan God has for me. Im going to school to learn about God's Word, I've been given great leadership opportunities at my church, I have many great spiritual leaders in my life that I can learn from daily. Instead of being hasty, I have to remind myself to take it slow and soak up all that I can. I just need to be patient and trust in God. He holds time in His hands and knows what is best for me.

This really hit home when I was reading about David. David was just your common guy. He didn't come from an extraordinary background or anything like that. But
when God rejected Saul as king, He turned to David. God told Samuel to go and anoint him as king in 1 Samuel 16. You might expect at that point for David to bust in Saul's home and take the throne, but he didn't. In fact, David doesn't become king until 2 Samuel 2, after Saul's death. Now we know that Saul became jealous of david and tried to kill him several times, but David also had more than one opportunity to kill Saul and didnt take it.

"He said to his men, "The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD's anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the LORD." With these words David rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way." 1 Samuel 24:6 & 7

"But David said to Abishai, "Don't destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the
LORD's anointed and be guiltless? As surely as the LORD lives," he said,
"the LORD himself will strike him; either his time will come and he will die, or
he will go into battle and perish. But the LORD forbid that I should lay a
hand on the LORD's anointed. Now get the spear and water jug that are near his
head, and let's go." 1 Samuel 26:9-11

So why would God spare Saul's life? Why would He allow Saul to remain king so long after He rejected him?

"Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil [b]
spirit from the LORD tormented him. Saul's attendants said to him, "See, an
evil spirit from God is tormenting you. 16 Let our lord command his servants
here to search for someone who can play the harp. He will play when the evil
spirit from God comes upon you, and you will feel better." So Saul said to
his attendants, "Find someone who plays well and bring him to me." One of
the servants answered, "I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to
play the harp. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a
fine-looking man. And the LORD is with him." 1 Samuel 16:14-18"

Can you guess who came to play for Saul? David. Just before this, in the beginning of this chapter is where Samuel anointed David. So, even though David wasn't immediately made king, God began to prepare Him. David went and stayed with Saul. Being there with Saul and watching him rule, David must have picked up a few tips! Just like me being a part of HSYM and learning from Ricky, David was a part or Saul's home & army and was learning the duties of a king.

Be patient with God. He places you in situations to help prepare you for what the future holds. Even in those in-between-times trust Him and soak up everything you can. God is good and faithful.