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Unicorn Frappucinos & Following God
Jon BurgessStrategically, logically, and seemingly spiritually it made sense to take King Saul out in the cave. If David had allowed himself to be led by his men he would have killed Saul in that moment. If David had been passively following the will of his followers he would have allowed them to overtake Saul. He would have taken the throne by force. It was, after all, God who had led David to this place right? What made David such a great leader was that he followed the leader instead of being led by opportunity, peer pressure, logic and even self-preservation. When thinking about attacking the Philistines at Keilah his men didn't want to go so "David aksed the Lord again, and again the Lord replied, "Go down to Keilah, for I will help conquer the Philistines."(1 Sam 23:4) David followed the direct command of God against the direct protest of his soldiers. In the cave David followed the gentle nudge of the Lord on his conscience against the direct desire of his soldiers. Whether directly or indirectly, advancing or hiding, victory or defeat David followed God's leadership instead of being led by circumstances, situations, and expecations around him.
Unicorn Frappucinos. That's all the proof I need to see how easily I can be swayed to the popular opinion around me. I don't like sugary sweet drinks, especially if they don't have coffee in them. What's the point? I'm not attracted to the pink, purple and glittery. It's just not my thing. Yet, there I was ordering a Unicorn Frappucino, adrink made with pink powder blended into cream Frappuccino with mango syrup and layered with a sour blue drizzle. It's tailor made for a 13 year old girl and yet there I was a 42 year old man sucking down this sugary treat. Why? Well, its only available through the weekend so if I don't try it I wont know what I'm missing right? So, like so many lemmings led by a media blitz I go running off the sweet edge of the Unicorn Frappucino cliff and float upon the magical mixture of rainbows and wishes. Actually, to be honest, I took one drink and gave the rest to my 13 year old son- who loved it! It tasted like sour milk infused with an insane amount of sugar. I barely escaped the diabetic coma sure to follow a drink like this. Now, this is just a beverage. How many times in my life am I led by pressures and expecations other then that of Jesus? How often do I go against my convictions in favor of convenience? Do I choose to please the people around me instead of the Savior inside of me? Every situation and circumstance is an opportunity to stop and inquire of the Lord for direction. This constant conversation with my Creator keeps my conscience clear and sensitive to His leading. If I'm not careful, I trust my own judgement rather the Judge above all things. God sees whats on the other side of the crises so why would I not follow His lead. No matter how sincere or convincing the people around me may be none of them can see around the corner of today into tomorrow. There will be many "Unicorn Frappucino" moments in life where everyone seems to be going in one direction and the still small voice of my God is asking me to swim up stream.
Finding Your will in any given situation is not like chasing a mythical unicorn even though sometimes it feels that way. Thank you for the example of David whose heart was after Your heart in every waking moment. Keep me sensitive to Your leading, the wisdom of Your written Words, and the ever present draw of the world around me. I choose Your Cross over my convenience, the meat of Your Word over the sweets of the world, the purity of Your will over the popular will around me.
