Inflatable Muscles.
Reading Time: 7 minutes
“So it was, when they came, that he looked at Eliab and said, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before Him!” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:6-7 NKJV
I remember an episode of SpongeBob SquarePants called “Musclebob Buffpants” where SpongeBob uses inflatable muscles to make it look like he is stronger than he is. The episode shows that SpongeBob is so weak that he even has trouble completing tasks like clicking a TV remote or moving a glass of water. Because he wants to look strong, he opts to buy fake muscles instead of doing the work to gain them himself. His persona progresses as he wears his fake muscles. People start to ask him for advice as he makes up workout regimens and acts like his assumed persona is legit. It gets to the point that he is entered into an anchor-throwing contest with the athletes and bodybuilders of the community. As he is trying to compete, his inflatable muscles pop and everyone sees that he is a fraud.
I often think about this memory of a childhood TV show because it teaches a very important truth. Bigger doesn't always mean stronger and better looking doesn't always mean better functioning. In our world, it's easy to let appearance be the determining factor and even the goal. Appearance isn't bad. As humans, we are designed to notice patterns that typically point to desirable features on the inside, but that doesn't negate the fact that what is at the core matters more than what is seen. Someone driving a luxury car could mean they have money, or it could mean they rented it. Designer clothes could mean that a person has wealth, but they could also be fake or borrowed. Looks can be deceiving. And, because of this, we often push to look good instead of be good. People want thousands of followers but don’t cultivate their content or platform to actually add value. People see the impact but don't think about the intentionality that has played a role behind the scenes. People see things that have sustained and don't think about the solid foundation they’re built on.
I don't think there is anything wrong with wanting to be “big”. But you must understand your why and the pyramid principle. In order for something of substance to grow tall and last, it must have a strong base. Many of us see the success of others without stopping to think about the work that has been done behind the scenes. You're oftentimes only seeing the tip of the iceberg.
This story is interesting because Samuel is told to go anoint the next king of Israel. He expects this man to look the part like the last king did. King Saul was a strapping man said to be head and shoulders taller than everyone else. He looked solid. However, because his character wasn't solid, his reign didn't last very long. So when Samuel sees Eliab, he sees what he saw in Saul. He sees the strapping physic and persona. He sees the confidence, but God says something interesting. God says He has already rejected him, presumably because of his heart. This guy looks good, but his core isn't strong. This guy looks impressive but his integrity and character aren't there. God knows he won't sustain. Similarly, a strong foundation and core allow you the freedom to build big and attractive buildings. But, trying to build something big and impressive without a good foundation is just a setup for future collapse.
Many of us are building backward. We want our relationships, families, careers, churches, and even ourselves to look good without actually being good. We’re going for attractiveness before integrity. We look for status before we are solid. And I believe it comes from our lack of patience and trust in the process. When we are focused on a quick turnaround or for others to understand or co-sign, we sometimes opt for the cheaper, quicker, and oftentimes less sustainable model instead of the stronger version which takes more time and sacrifice. If you talk to older people, they will often talk about how products now are quicker and cheaper but don't last as long or create as much value as they used to. Products made back in the day were often heavier and took more work to find or maintain but they would last. Many of us see this principle but don't really trust we will have a return on our investment if we go for sustenance over the easier route.
This brings up another principle we must remember. Strong seeds produce flourishing trees. If you have a good foundation, you can bet that with time, whatever you build will outvalue whatever was built without the same foundation. Larger animals tend to have longer gestation periods. Yes, it may take longer, and it may not be as flashy, but the birth will be worth the time and sacrifice. The longer you remain in the dark, the more you will shine when you come to the light. Don't rush the platform. Don't rush the responsibility. Focus on your core so that you can sustain. Don't rush to the stage, make sure you can handle the lights first. I think it's interesting that many of our biblical heroes had a hidden period of developing their character before coming into responsibility and the spotlight. Daniel was a slave before he was an advisor to kings. Joseph was a slave before he was a ruler of a kingdom. Moses was a shepherd before leading a nation. David was a shepherd before leading a nation. These people didn’t start at the top. They actually developed gifts of service and character before moving to roles of greater responsibility. They had time to develop in the dark with fewer people watching and where their mistakes wouldn’t matter as much.
I believe that if you make God your hiding place and foundation, you will be strong enough to sustain the pressure of the platforms He places you on later. Stay planted in Jesus. Let God refine your heart. Choose honesty and integrity over speed and accolades. Don't focus on what’s next, focus on what’s now and build your integrity and character. Focus on the heart and what’s next will come. So many great people fall because they made it to great heights without the integrity to sustain them. If you aren’t trustworthy with $5, it will set you up for an even greater failure when you are stewarding $5 million. If you cannot have integrity and self-control when you're single, the stakes are only raised when you get married. Allow God to refine your heart now so that you can sustain through the new devils that come with new levels.
I want to be like the tree described in Jeremiah 17. I want my roots to be so solid that I am steady through storms. I want to be so anchored that I continue to bear fruit even when life gets hard. That comes from allowing God to control not just the life that is built from us, but allowing Him to be the foundation on which our life is built. I want to be a man of integrity. I want to be a man of character, even when responsibility takes more work than taking shortcuts. It may look like you're starting the race behind, but I promise you will finish ahead.
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8 NKJV
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