(Slide 1) Hidden Figures
Pt. 1 - Out of The Shadows
I. Introduction
We remember the star of the show. They captivate our attention and dominate the screen. However, the truth is without the supporting actors the show, film, episode would lack depth and flavor. It is a supporting actor who performs a role in a play or film below that of the leading actor(s), and above that of a bit part who are often pivotal or vital to the story as in a best friend, love interest, sidekick.
Think about it a moment Batman gets all the glory but he needed a Robin. The Lone Ranger gets the cool horse and the cool mask but it his exploits would have been impossible without Tonto. Supporting actors who made a dramatic impact on every story line but were often overlooked, in the background, or on the fringe. Hidden figures that complete or make a story possible.
However, it isn't just superheroes and their sidekicks. Throughout time there have been people who have gone unseen and unnoticed. People who may have faced significant challenges to the use of their gifts but despite a lack of positional authority, wealth, flare, or overwhelming charisma even though they are even sometimes nameless they found ways to use their influence to do great things in this world.
The Bible is full of stories about such people who took considerable risks but paved the way for those of us who feel like hidden figures to fight our way out of the shadows to impact lives around us. We can learn from them.
1 Samuel 13:19, 22-23; 14:1-2, 4-15 (TLB)
There were no blacksmiths at all in the land of Israel in those days, for the Philistines wouldn’t allow them for fear of their making swords and spears for the Hebrews.
So there was not a single sword or spear in the entire “army” of Israel that day, except for Saul’s and Jonathan’s. The mountain pass at Michmash had meanwhile been secured by a contingent of the Philistine army.
14:1 A day or so later, Prince Jonathan said to his young bodyguard, “Come on, let’s cross the valley to the garrison of the Philistines.” But he didn’t tell his father that he was leaving. Meanwhile, Saul was taking it easy under the pomegranate tree at the threshing floor on the edge of town at Geba (Gibeah). There were about six hundred men with him. To reach the Philistine garrison, Jonathan had to go over a narrow pass between two rocky crags which had been named Bozez and Seneh. The crag on the north was in front of Michmash and the southern one was in front of Geba.
“Yes, let’s go across to those heathen,” Jonathan had said to his bodyguard. “Perhaps the Lord will do a miracle for us. For it makes no difference to him how many enemy troops there are!” “Fine!” the youth replied. “Do as you think best; I’m with you heart and soul, whatever you decide.” “All right, then this is what we’ll do,” Jonathan told him. “When they see us, if they say, ‘Stay where you are or we’ll kill you!’ then we will stop and wait for them. But if they say, ‘Come on up and fight!’ then we will do just that; for it will be God’s signal that he will help us defeat them!” When the Philistines saw them coming they shouted, “Look! The Israelis are crawling out of their holes!” Then they shouted to Jonathan, “Come on up here and we’ll show you how to fight!” “Come on, climb right behind me,” Jonathan exclaimed to his bodyguard, “for the Lord will help us defeat them!” So they clambered up on their hands and knees, and the Philistines fell back as Jonathan and the lad killed them right and left, about twenty men in all, and their bodies were scattered over about half an acre of land. Suddenly panic broke out throughout the entire Philistine army, and even among the raiders. And just then there was a great earthquake, increasing the terror.
There is a headliner in this account. He is well known. He is favored. He is the star. He is the king's son. The entire army of Israel was without weapon except for the king and his son. Talk about the star of the show. We know his name well. Jonathan will go on to be the star or featured character in several other incredible stories and accounts. However, there is a hidden figure in this account. An armor bearer at Jonathan's side that is unknown and unnamed. However, his role and his attitude and the lessons he teaches us can't be overlooked.
Serving God often looks like serving man.
Notice that when Jonathan explains what God is placing in his heart that this hidden figure exclaims "Whatever is in your heart - I'm with you." This armor bearer put his fate, destiny and future in Jonathan's hands. But the truth is he wasn't really following Jonathan but rather the call that God had placed in Jonathan's heart. However, what we learn is that even though we serve man our call to serve God often takes the form of serving man.
This unnamed hero had confidence in God but he also trusted a leader.
Too many of us say we are willing to serve God but we won't serve people which is how we flesh out serving God. We must learn to trust the God in people to follow people to victory. Our fear of being hurt by leaders can cause us to hold back. At some point you are going to have to put your future and your faith in someone's hands in obedience to God!
Victories are not won in isolation, but rather in cooperation.
This armor bearer recognized that he had a role to play. He knew that although Jonathan was called to fight he couldn't win by himself. Even though he wasn't called to swing sword he was called to carry the sword. He realized his assistance was necessary for victory. How many of us fail to participate in miracles, breakthroughs, and victories simply because we won't cooperate or participate? There are no great victories without service.
Romans 12:4-5 - Just as there are many parts to our bodies, so it is with Christ’s body. We are all parts of it, and it takes every one of us to make it complete, for we each have different work to do. So we belong to each other, and each needs all the others.
Their roles were different but both were essential. This armor bearer challenges us to help someone who would lose without our help! Rally around someone who needs your assistance.
Jonathan gives us the glimpse into what this armor bearer understood . . . "Perhaps God will give us a miracle!" Their cooperation was required to see God move. Together they could be used by God.
We must decide whether we are more concerned with credit or the cause.
This hidden figure single handedly guarded Jonathan's back. He made it possible for Jonathan to win. And yet we don't even know his name and there is no record that he received any rewards He wasn't concerned about credit. He was sold out to the cause. I am with you. He could have stayed back with Saul. The account says that Saul and six hundred of his men were taking it easy. Relaxing. Chilling. Taking no chances. No risk. No danger. But this hidden figure refused to sit back and do nothing when the stakes were so high.
How many of us relax? Play it safe? Refuse to chance coming early or stepping outside our comfort zone? Worry about recognition and thanks? And while we do that defeat continues. Bondage continues. Oppression remains. The disillusioned and hurt stay sick. Simply because we won't sell out to the cause. What if the breakthrough you have been asking for for your child, neighbor, relative is tied up in your willingness to serve in a way that makes it possible for someone else to preach, sing, greet, or pray?
What if you greet and no one ever says thanks? What if you run lights and no one ever notices? What if you sing and no one ever congratulates you? What if you wave at passing cars and no one ever stops? Is it worth it? It is if we are concerned about the cause more than we are credit.
Colossians 3:23-24
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Servants, do what you’re told by your earthly masters. And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ.
We are at our best when we serve in such a way that all glory, attention, credit goes to Christ! This ensures that it doesn't matter if anyone claps or complains!
