Lessons from Samson
It is said that when you do not understand the purpose of something, then abuse is inevitable.
Samson’s way of life and purpose were clearly defined even before he was born.
Judges 13:5
5 For behold, you shall conceive and give birth to a son. No razor shall come upon his head, for the boy shall be a [b]Nazirite [dedicated] to God from birth and he shall begin to rescue Israel from the hands of the Philistines.”
Samson had a purpose which was to begin to rescue Israel from the hands of the Philistines.
With that purpose in mind, God then gifts Samson with superhuman strength but one of the things you will quickly realize when you read Samson’s story is that it was all about him and not the people he was meant to deliver.
Whether he is catching foxes and setting their tails on fire, or whether he is slaying 1000 men with the jawbone of a donkey or carrying the city gates on his back, we see a man who is fighting
personal battles. Samson might have been a strong man but he was a very weak man in the presence of a crying woman.
When your gifting becomes the focal point of what you do and not your relationship with the gift giver, then without a doubt your life is headed for a shipwreck.
Samson forgot that his relationship with God would keep him on course to fulfill his mandate and know how to use his gift to do so.
One struggle with being gifted is focusing too much on the gift and self. The gift ends up being about you and ensuring others know how important you are. One thing we should never forget is that the gifts that God gives us are for the edification of the body. As a friend of mine puts it, “A mango tree never produces mangoes for itself but for others to enjoy”
Are you using your gift selfishly?
Is it all about you and how you are important and how you need to make a name for yourself?
Remember; humble yourself before the Lord and He will lift you up. Stay connected to God, understand your purpose and use your gift to edify and build up others.
