Your time is…not now?

We’ve all felt it. The frustration when we feel sidelined or overlooked. When we have an idea we know is good, but no one listens. Even worse, they do listen but take credit for it as their own. Or no matter how much we feel like we’re ready for the next chapter, the next position, the next responsibility, we just can’t land it. Or maybe those around us refuse to recognize our talent or gifting.

No one, especially creatives, likes feeling underutilized or overlooked. Not being able to use our gifts is restrictive and discouraging. 

You know who can relate to all these feelings? King David. Ironically, one of the greatest creatives in Scripture is well acquainted with this situation. 

In 1 Chronicles 11:2, Saul has just died, and David is stepping into his role as king. We learn a significant fact about David’s time serving Saul in verse two: 

"In times past, even when Saul was king, you were the one who led out and brought in Israel; and the Lord your God said to you, ‘You shall shepherd My people Israel, and you shall be leader over My people Israel.’"

David even had clear direction from the Lord that he would be a leader. And he STILL had to wait years and watch someone much less qualified take the reins. Do you think he ever wondered how long the wait would last? Ever got frustrated as he watched Saul screw things up, knowing he would have made a different decision?

But we learn a beautiful principle in this verse. David used his gifts. He stepped into his leadership gifting - behind the scenes. 

He didn’t try to topple Saul’s reign. He didn’t demand titles. He simply continued to exercise the gifts and calling God had given him, within the boundaries the Lord provided. 

And all the while, God was working. He was preparing. Because when Saul died, and David stepped into his new role, the transition was smooth. The people already trusted him. They already knew him. They had seen his leadership behind the scenes and were ready to lift him to the front lines and trust him as their new king.

And because this transition was smooth, they were able to quickly regain control of Jerusalem.   

People can recognize a great leader, even when he or she is not the one in charge. 

So if you find yourself sidelined, frustrated, overlooked, or underutilized right now, draw encouragement from the fact that you are not overlooked by God. He sees, He knows, and He has a plan. Follow David’s example - don’t wait until you’re “in charge” or circumstances are perfect to step into your giftings and leadership.

Be faithful behind the scenes. 

Because as Jesus reminds us in Luke 16: “The one who is faithful in a very little thing is also faithful in much.”