It’s Your Turn. Don’t Spend it in the Janitor’s Closet.

It was his time. It was his turn.

He was from a wealthy, influential family.

He was tall, strong and really good looking.

Saul had been selected by God to be the first king of Israel.

The prophet Samuel anointed him. The Spirit of God rested on Saul, and he began to prophesy.

The Bible says that Saul became a new man—that God gave him a new heart (1 Samuel 10.6, 9).

On the day of the big ceremony, all Israel gathered for the crowning of their new king.

The prophet kicked things off with an important speech.

The time had come for Saul to take the reigns and become the king of Israel.

It was his time. It was his turn.

The prophet makes the big announcement: “Our new king: Saul!”

Deafening applause. Shouts of joy. Cannons shooting confetti into the air. Fireworks exploding.

The band begins playing Rock Party Anthem. Dancers dance…

And everyone looks around awkwardly.

Where’s Saul?

The celebrating stops. A search party is assembled. People start praying.

Finally, someone gets a word from God: “Go look in the janitor’s closet.”

They open the closet door…

Sure enough, there’s King Saul—hiding among the supplies (1 Samuel 10.22).

What a story!

Saul had everything going for him: He was chosen by God. He was anointed. People liked him and wanted him to be their king. He came from the right side of the tracks. He was photogenic.

And he was his own worst enemy.

I think this is true for all of us: we are our own worst enemy.

Usually what’s holding us back isn’t stuff around us, it’s something inside us…

Fear, insecurity, anxiety—wanting everything to be perfect, and a 100% guarantee of success before we begin.

So we hide in the janitor’s closet.

It’s quite silly, really.

“…From his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.”
(Ephesians 3.16 NLT)

It’s your time. It’s your turn…

Don’t spend it in the janitor’s closet.