Have you ever been overlooked?

You know… that moment when there is something you are passionate about and have developed skill in and find yourself among people looking for someone to do that thing… and they are looking around you and over you and asking the person you’re standing next to for help… do you know someone who fits this need? I’m beginning to get desperate… and you can only stand slightly confused as they describe you and then look right past you. 

Have you ever been there?

I have.

Have you ever felt forgotten?

Doing the best you can with what you have where you’re at… holding onto promises you are certain you heard… only nothing around you looks like it should. Wasn’t it success and favor you dreamed of? It seemed so clear at the time… only now it seems to be going from bad to worse… forget promotion, you’ve been demoted and when it didn’t seem like it could get worse you were unfairly accused and ended up on the streets… or worse.

God? Where are you? 

I’ve wondered.

One morning not long ago I found myself looking around and seeing others. The comparison trap. The day before I was humming along content in my forgotten little cell often overlooked knowing that it’s just a season and I can trust that God has a plan. He’s talked to me about it, and we’re exactly on track regardless of what my surroundings look like… then my attention is grabbed by distraction and I look around and see everyone else picking grapes and making wine while I’m tilling the soil on a barren looking field.

Wait. What? Why? Did I go wrong somewhere?

I know we aren’t supposed to compare. But I did it anyway. It was kind of too late to pretend I didn’t at that point. Once you’ve eaten the cookie you can’t exactly cough it back up. One thing I’ve learned about myself in recent years: I do the things I know better than to do sometimes. I think the things I’m not supposed to think. Sometimes. I wonder the things I’m supposed to already know.

I used to deny this at all costs. I’m not comparing! I know that’s wrong and will only get me into trouble. Recipe for unhappiness. No way… I don’t think that- I know what Jesus says and so would never question…

Apparently God already knows my mind and heart so I was only fooling myself, and poorly. When I pretend I am not comparing I only now have that seasick uncertainty from looking around me, but denying it only creates a crack that becomes a crevice if I don’t deal with it which eventually makes a fault line that will break down later worse than the small problem I began with today.

So instead I paused to talk to Jesus about it.

I’m sorry. I know it’s never very helpful to compare. But I am comparing right now. Sometimes it’s hard not to- I mean I don’t live alone here on this planet, there are tons of people all around me, how can I really not see the amazing story of that person or that person… or how easy that person’s journey looks like from my struggles. I do know this is not helpful, but I’m having a hard time turning away and staying focused on what you and I were doing five minutes ago. I’m feeling overlooked here and sometimes like you’ve forgotten me and left me behind while you’ve gone on to do awesome things with everyone else.

Can you speak into this moment? Can you help me regain perspective?

And instead of the correction chiding me to get my act together and quit it… instead of the talking-to about how each person has their own unique trials and I never see fully into another’s life journey- both of these would be true- instead I heard something I hadn’t expected.

He asked me if I could think of someone else who was overlooked.

David.

David was so overlooked he wasn’t even invited to his own anointing to be king party. When God sent Samuel to anoint a new King he gave him the address to Jesse’s home. Jesse was told to gather his sons, and this father didn’t even consider his son David worth bringing inside to the gathering. Talk about overlooked. Even Samuel thought one of the older boys would make a fine King, but God knew exactly who he wanted and God never overlooks the ones he’s chosen for a calling. Each son that came before Samuel God said not him. Finally, slightly confused, Samuel asks Jesse: Is this ALL of your sons?

“Jesse presented his seven sons to Samuel. Samuel was blunt with Jesse, “God hasn’t chosen any of these.” Then he asked Jesse, “Is this it? Are there no more sons?” “Well, yes, there’s the runt. But he’s out tending the sheep.” Samuel ordered Jesse, “Go get him. We’re not moving from this spot until he’s here.””

1 Samuel 16:10-11 MSG

David was anointed that day because God carries out his word. However he wouldn’t become king for at least fifteen more years. In that time I’ll bet he was overlooked many more times for many things. But when he turned 30 he took the throne. In God’s exact timing.

Ok, good. Can you think of someone who felt forgotten?

Joseph.

Joesph had dreams of being a man of authority and power- someone everyone would bow to. Yet he was thrown into a cistern by his own brothers, then sold into slavery. This would have been a rough break, but Joseph did seem to have favor wherever he went and his slave job ended up him in charge of the household… until he was wrongly accused of acting inappropriate toward the master’s wife which landed him in prison. Definitely worse. I can imagine Joesph had times when he remembered the dreams God had revealed to him and felt very forgotten. 

“And please remember me and do me a favor when things go well for you. Mention me to Pharaoh, so he might let me out of this place. For I was kidnapped from my homeland, the land of the Hebrews, and now I’m here in prison, but I did nothing to deserve it.””

“Pharaoh’s chief cup-bearer, however, forgot all about Joseph, never giving him another thought.”

Genesis 40 excerpts NLT

It was two full years later before things turned around and the Pharaoh had two troubling dreams no one could interpret. In order to save his own skin and look good that cup-bearer remembered Joseph and looked like a hero when he suggested consulting him. In the turn around of a day Joseph went from prison to running the country and managing it through a devastating famine using the wisdom and insight God shared with him.

“Pharaoh sent for Joseph at once, and he was quickly brought from the prison. After he shaved and changed his clothes, he went in and stood before Pharaoh. Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has revealed the meaning of the dreams to you, clearly no one else is as intelligent or wise as you are. You will be in charge of my court, and all my people will take orders from you. Only I, sitting on my throne, will have a rank higher than yours.” Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the entire land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh removed his signet ring from his hand and placed it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in fine linen clothing and hung a gold chain around his neck. Then he had Joseph ride in the chariot reserved for his second-in-command. And wherever Joseph went, the command was shouted, “Kneel down!” So Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of all Egypt. And Pharaoh said to him, “I am Pharaoh, but no one will lift a hand or foot in the entire land of Egypt without your approval.””

Genesis 41 excerpts NLT

So, the Holy Spirit continued… what do these men have in common?

They both spent a long time in development, often feeling overlooked and forgotten while you worked in and around them to bring them into a place, in the right time, of having much responsibility and authority. To rule with wisdom and understanding.

Yes. Good. So next time you feel the need to compare yourself, maybe take more care to whom you make a comparison? It’s likely you can find someone in the Bible histories who suffered or struggled in the way you feel, and if you can identity instead with one of them, you can see you are in good company. Both David and Joseph were put in places to rule with authority, but there was a process to shape their hearts and minds first. It takes the time it takes. 

I know what a heart needs to be ready to take on the calling I have for each one. I lovingly craft every experience and every part of the journey to prepare. I love my children too much to put them in places they are not ready to serve. 

Maybe instead of feeling frustrated because someone seems to be walking out the easier path, notice the ones who have walked similar trials, and take heart…

you may be in good company.