1 Samuel 16:1
The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”
1 Samuel 16:13
“So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David.”
Additional Scripture References: Romans 8:28, Psalms 23:1-6, 2 Timothy 3:16
When we have trouble sleeping, we are often told to count sheep, hoping that a monotonous task will help us nod off. When God calls us to steward our calling, we often expect the first step of our assignment to be exhilarating. Yet, God’s assignments often involve “counting sheep” and going through daily tasks that can feel mundane. But mundane does not mean insignificant. Having already anointed us, God develops us as we count sheep, pouring oil on us so that we can pour oil on others.
Every calling requires counting sheep
God knows what’s best for us, which is why he takes time to develop us before he deploys us. Without development, our assignments would destroy us. Think of David — he was anointed to be king, but he wasn’t yet appointed. His head was covered in oil while he was working the field as a shepherd. As he led his sheep, he gained a visionary mindset he would use as king, as he fed his sheep, he gained a pastor's heart, and as he protected his sheep, he gained courage to fight for a nation. No matter where we find ourselves, as we faithfully work our “fields,” we can trust that God is developing us in the process.
Olive oil is made when an olive is crushed. In the same way, the crushing moments of our lives are what produce our oil. God will use every moment — the bad things, the painful things, the shameful things, the broken things. He turns all things for the good of those who love him; nothing is wasted. Our seasons of struggle are not for us — suffering produces oil that we can pour out to minister to the people around us.
God calls us to pour oil, not to hoard oil. This means that we are called to use our unique skills to contribute to his kingdom. Doing nothing is a waste of time; yet, trying to do everything is also a waste of time. Rather than chase a fleeting moment of exhilaration or excitement, God calls us to shepherd his pasture, which may involve metaphorically counting sheep. His word reminds us that how we shepherd the mundane moments of life leads to outpouring of His Holy anointing.
Take time this week to memorize Romans 8:28. Reflect on how God has worked in your life to turn what you deemed wasted into good for your purpose.
Are you interested in leading a crew? Click here to fill out an application to become a crew leader in SZN 2!
VOUS High Nite is a night for Junior High and High School Students to meet friends, worship and encounter God. It will be taking place Wednesday, April 2nd at both VOUS SoMi and VOUS Miami Gardens at 7PM.
To RSVP, click here.
There will also be a VOUS High Nite Parent Hangout. This will be an opportunity to learn more about VOUS High, have some dinner and get to know other parents in our community.
To RSVP for the Parent’s Hang, click here.
Where: VOUS Miami Gardens & VOUS SoMi
When: Saturday, April 2nd
Address:
VOUS Miami Gardens - 17801 NW 2nd Ave
Miami, FL 33169
VOUS SoMi - 6767 Sunset Dr, Miami, FL 33143
Doors Open at 7PM.
Are you looking for a place to grow in leadership, community, and culture? Join us at VOUS College Preview Day on April 3rd to learn more about program offerings, connect with students, and ignite your journey to help fulfill the Great Commission!
RSVP now at vouscollege.com/preview
Where: VOUS Miami Gardens
When: Thursday, April 3rd
Address: 17801 NW 2nd Ave
Miami, FL 33169
The Easter Egg Drop is a family fun-filled day, including food, games, entertainment, and the crowd favorite: a helicopter egg drop with eggs stuffed with goodies and prizes!
For more information on the Easter Egg Drop, click here
If you are interested in serving, click here
Where: Charles Hadley Park
When: Saturday, April 19th
Address: 1350 NW 50th St
Miami, FL 33142
Join us for Easter at VOUS as we celebrate the power of the cross. This is a weekend for the whole family! Pick a service time and invite a friend — there's room for you.
Join us on the road to VOUSCon as we embark on a 40-day relay run through the state of Florida. From Jacksonville to Miami, runners from every region are invited to participate in carrying the good news. Our finish line? VOUSCon 2025. Led by a core VOUS team, we’ll link arms with partner churches along the way, spotlighting the body of Christ and championing the local church through weekly outreach initiatives.
Starting Line: Sunday, May 11
Finish Line: Thursday, June 19
VOUS SoMi
8:45AM / 10:30AM / 12:30PM / 6PM
VOUS City
10:30AM / 12:30PM / 6PM
VOUS Miami Gardens
10:30AM / 12:30PM
VOUS DD
10:30AM / 12:30PM
Church Online
10AM / 12:00 PM / 5PM Español
Growth Track
After every service or join online at vouschurch.com/growthtrack