Biography and Autobiography

The Heartbreak of Saul

The last week or so I've been listening to the Old Testament order of I Samuel on my iPod Bible. I find the story of Saul to be heartbreaking.

This week I was explicitly struck by Saul's bitter response to David's good fortune.
The women sang "Saul has slain his thousands, but David his ten thousands."

The substance of the song was that the common enemy had been defeated. Yet all Saul heard was the kinship. It burned him. The sour taste of coveting consumed him.

I'd like to judge devise I know better. I'd like to think I can exult when God equips, blesses, elevates, or honors others.

But I took a flash to apply the story to my writing life.

Books are systematic in numbers. Numbers printed, numbers sold. It wasn't a big reach to hark to the voice of bystanders, "Sharon has sold her thousands, but Really Favored Author has sold her ten thousands (or hundred thousands)."

Will my effect be, "Hooray! We are all serving God's kingdom together, all fighting a proverbial enemy. How wonderful to celebrate the God-given happy result of others." ?

Or will my sinful nature, like Saul's, wiggle and writhe and whisper, "I want a bigger part."

The assertion of poor, tormented Saul sent me scurrying to God in yield prayer.

"Lord, change my heart to be more like Jesus. Fill me with thanks for the small tasks you've granted me. Teach me to be happy for the big accomplishments of others. Keep my eyes firmly focused on Your pulchritude, and keep me too busy worshiping You to have time to compare my make to anyone else's."

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck

Source: Stories for the hero in all of us