On Encouraging Cave Dwellers
This thought’s been with me a couple days…so I wanted to share with you. Here’s a verse about David’s flight to Adullam.
So David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam; and when his brothers and all his father’s household heard, they went down there to him. – 1 Samuel 22:1 NASB
What I’ve missed for years (until now!) that his brothers and all his father’s household came down to him. This blessed me because in some places, extroverts outnumber introverts. And overall, we tend to “wish” people would change — become more like us — for our benefit.
I offer this verse for a bit of perspective. Let’s garner some respect for those who had to make a run for it…in the Body of Christ. For their safety they took refuge in a cave like David. Or, they were gathered in caves and fed by a compassionate Obadiah (See 1 Kings 18:1-16). Either way, the hand of God is on them and the nature/path of their assignment — though widely misunderstood or misinterpreted — requires a few unorthodox stays in caves.
We might also liken these cave dwellers to those who like John the Baptist, are enrolled in “wilderness school”. It is part of their training.
May I suggest that we encourage them? Don’t marvel at their commitment or anointing. I promise you, many of them just want someone who wants nothing from them but wants to show some love.
Be a quiet presence.
Be a shoulder.
Be a companion who is not intimidated by their silly sides when it’s time to have fun. Remove the pressure of your “supernatural perspective” — again I promise you, they don’t live there 24/7.
Maybe this comes to you at the right time. Maybe you’ll need this soon. I felt a need to share it, nonetheless. Whatever you do, respond like family and at least make a trip to the cave. Be kind to those whose process requires more of them than yours does of you. Even if you don’t understand you can still comfort (See 2 Corinthians 1: 3-4).
Selah, and love to all.
Blogs I Follow
The Bereans' Commentary with Shaunta D. Scroggins, Ed.D. 