It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. Galatians 2:20. How do we find that life? We ask. We ask God to come into our lives and help us to know Him and trust Him for everything. We give everything to Him. The One who created all things including you and me, is worthy of trusting for everything.

In 1 Samuel 10 Saul has been anointed by Samuel to rule over the Lord’s people. He has even been told what will happen to him as he returns home to confirm for him that God has chosen him to lead. And everything happens just as Samuel said it would. As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul’s heart, and all these signs were fulfilled that day. v. 9.

A week later, Samuel gathers all Israel by tribe, by clan, by family and finally by the son of Kish but Saul could not be found among the people gathered together. And the Lord said, “Yes, he has hidden himself among the supplies.” v. 22. Saul had already been anointed but the people had yet to know who was now their king and they were eagerly awaiting that special person to be revealed by God. Not an auspicious beginning for the people who were so excited to be getting what they wanted. Saul was hiding. God never hides.

Where do we find abundant life? Not hiding among the supplies. Not living in fear and doubt. Not trusting in our own strength or any other person’s strength.

God chose Saul and yet he hid which was difficult to do since he was a head taller than anyone else. When he was found, the people shouted, “Long live the King!” v. 24. Now the people have what they asked for, a king to rule over them just like the other nations. “But you have now rejected your God, who saves you out of all your disasters and calamities.” v. 19. Can we appreciate this moment? The people think a king will save them. Can one hiding among the supplies save them? Have rulers, presidents, dictators saved anyone? And what does God do for Saul? Saul also went to his home in Gibeah, accompanied by valiant men whose hearts God had touched. v. 26. Samuel had dismissed all the people to return to their homes. Their king has been anointed, they have what they asked for. There was no throne for Saul to sit upon, no special place for him to rule from – he didn’t know what to do so he returned home as well yet he was accompanied by valiant men God chose to be with him.

We’ve been watching a series called Band of Brothers which is the story of Easy Company, 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division, U.S. Army during World War II. They had several men to lead them and some were brave and understood what leadership meant for their men and sadly, some were woefully unprepared. I can imagine in any military, the fighting men know the difference.

Do we know the difference? We have eyes to see, ears to hear. Do we see leaders in our time from around the world and see anyone who can save us? Anyone who wants to save us? That’s a big ask.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-5.

There is darkness in this world of men ruling over men. For a life that is abundant even through that darkness we need the Creator of all life in Whom is no darkness, and only He can light the way. My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working. John 5:17. Abundant life is not wealth or status. Abundant life is Christ living in us bringing us peace in Him that no darkness can overcome. Easy Company suffered 150% casualties. They saw horrors no one should see. What horrors do people see today? Wars, child prostitution, hate, corrupt politicians, terrorism, state sponsored terrorism? How about children’s bodies torn apart by high capacity rounds that make identifying them impossible without their clothes or shoes to indicate who they were? How about the last thing those children saw – the faces of their worst fears?

Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. John 17:3. How do we know Him? Ask! And it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20. Abundant life in Him who knows what true, abundant life is. He will never hide from you. He is our true leader who gave Himself for us and is working for us today. Whom else will you trust? Truly trust? It has always been and will always be your choice.