Out of the Baggage Compartment

We can all picture that child  embarrassed by unwanted attention, “Don’t you have the most beautiful hair? … sweetest smile? … darling dimples … and worst of all the cutest chubby cheeks”  As we get older and “mature” we come to understand that hiding behind our hands or behind our parents is just silly and only makes matter worse because even that brings more unwanted attention.  That is not to say we do not seek a hiding place, we just try to find more innovative ways to hide.

“Then Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot. He brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its clans, and the clan of the Matrites was taken by lot; finally he brought the family of the Matrites near, man by man and Saul the son of Kish was taken by lot. But when they sought him, he could not be found. So they inquired again of the Lord, “Is there a man still to come?” and the Lord said, “Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage.” Then they ran and took him from there. And when he stood among the people, he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward. And Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see him whom the Lord has chosen? There is none like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!” (1 Sam 10:20-24)

As a sound tech at church, I sometimes have the unique opportunity, to wonder about, and pray during worship team rehearsals (provided I get out of God’s way during my preparation). This morning one of those rare days. I pass back and forth across the sanctuary so that I can pass every seat and pray for the individuals that will be sitting in those seats.  As I neared the back of the room, God showed me that there were many people that really wanted to touch, but they were hiding in the baggage so to speak. They want to be in the room, but they really do not want the attention that comes with the anointing that God has for them.

I can remember a specific prayer I had 16 or 17 years ago that I no longer wanted to be a “Back-row Christian”.  My family did not literally move up to the front row (we moved to the third row). It really is not about position, but availability. We just made a conscious decision to make ourselves available to Him.  You are actually not any more available to God in the front row than anywhere else, although it is just more difficult to run (It is much harder to get-up and leave early when you’re in the front).

I have always loved that the youth at our church take over the front center section of the church.  As awkward and self-conscious as teenagers are, they long to be used and be a part of what God is doing.  They don’t have a bunch of baggage to hide in and for those that do, they just want to get rid of it. (stretching that analogy a bit, but you get the point)

We may be comfortable in our safe little hiding place. We are not as slick as we think. God sees us behind our little hands and He longs to pour out an anointing of peace, joy, and power unlike anything we have ever experienced.  So let’s get out of the baggage compartment, God has a place in First Class just waiting for us.

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