“What have you done?” asked Samuel.
Saul replied, “When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Mikmash, I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the Lord’s favor.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.”
“You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. ~1 Samuel 13:11--13
A disillusioned Frank Sinatra was having dinner with friends in 1968 when he announced, “I’m quitting the business. I’m sick of it; I’m getting out.” One of those he dined with that night soon had an idea that changed everything; he re-wrote a song he had heard in France specifically for Sinatra. The song, "My Way”, went on to top the music charts for 40 weeks and became Frank Sinatra’s signature song. It hit a nerve with a new generation searching for individuality and freedom.
While the lyrics don’t fit the Christian paradigm, it’s likely that we all find ourselves, at one time or another, doing things our way. Sometimes it arises from a belief that our way is truly better than the alternative; other times, fear is at the root of our decision.
Saul, king of Israel, was afraid. The Israelites had attacked the Philistines who responded by assembling 3,000 chariots, 6,000 charioteers and soldiers “as numerous as the sand on the seashore.” Saul had a measly 3,000 men who were divided between two outposts, but they went into hiding at the sight of the Philistine army.
After seven days of quaking in fear, Saul decided to take things into his own hands. The prophet Samuel had promised he would come, offer sacrifices and pray for Saul’s men, but Saul got impatient. He felt compelled to offer sacrifices to the Lord himself, asking for God’s favor. It seemed like an appropriate thing to do; Saul knew they needed God’s help. But the problem was that it was in violation of the instructions he’d been given. He had been told to wait, but because Saul was afraid, he manufactured his own plan. He allowed fear to propel him to do things his own way. Saul’s story would have had a different ending if he had listened well and followed the instructions given clearly by God.
Thinking back on the history of Loma Linda University Health, one can specifically point to circumstances where our founders listened and followed. How different our story might have been if Ellen White or John Burden had decided to do things their way. Reflecting on our history motivates us to continue to listen, both corporately and individually, and to do things His way.
