"Wow, what an ass!"

It’s amazing how a menial beast of burden could have impacted history so profoundly? I got a kick from one example this morning while reading 1 Samuel 8 in the Old Testament. It was about the whole “Geez, God, we sure think we should have a king like all the other kids. It’s not cool to be stuck only with judges” Israelite whining thing; aka Complaint #763.

Even after God warns the wise elders that the “king” mojo is not going to pan out for them, God agrees to give them their wish; their very own a king. “Yay.” And who gets the nod? None other than the dashing, charismatic, strong (I hear he had a rippling 12-pack), “impressive young man without equal among the Israelites—a head taller than any of the others” 1 Samuel 9:2, and might I add slightly narcissistic Saul. And a Benjamite no less!  Get this: To claim his prize as Numero Uno Ever King of Israel he gets this thunderous, heralding message to send him on his way to glory; it comes from his father Kish – "Take one of the servants with you and go and look for the donkeys." 1 Samuel 9:3. Or translated into modern syntax: “Go look for those smart asses that got away.”

The story goes on that Saul takes the long way around, ends up with Samuel, where after a meal, some oil dousing and small talk he gets instructions for even more stops along the way until arriving at Mizpeh… where he is finally made king…or something sort of close to this. Once again, I humbly apologize to those B.C.  among you – Biblically Correct.

First King of Israel; brought to you by, that’s right, a lost donkey. Now, who out there refuses to accept the fact that God has a great sense of humor? Sort of reminds me a bit of that other great Mule of Valor from La Mancha, Donkey Hotee. Or do we dare to “pooh pooh” the famous sage Eor.  There’s that jackass who “shreked” all responsibility, Donkey. And let’s not forget about that oft ignored majestic “hee” who grandly “haw(l)ed” Jesus into Jerusalem.

So, let me ask you a question: Think you are not pulling your load? Saddled with doubt? Things out of your control getting the beast of you? Think that your place in the team doesn’t make a difference?

Think again, then consider this the next time you assume something less for yourself: When you ASSUME, it makes and ASS out of U and ME.

Ride on.

For emphasis – (b)