Samson

Again the Israelites did evil in the LORD's sight, so the LORD handed them over to the Philistines, who oppressed them for forty years. In those days a man named Manoah from the tribe of Dan lived in the town of Zorah. His wife was unable to become pregnant, and they had no children. The Angel of the LORD appeared to Manoah's wife and said, "Even though you have been unable to have children, you will soon become pregnant and give birth to a son. So be careful; you must not drink wine or any other alcoholic drink nor eat any forbidden food. You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and his hair must never be cut. For he will be dedicated to God as a Nazirite from birth. He will begin to rescue Israel from the Philistines."(Judges 13:1-5 NLT)

This story of Samson is quite beautiful when it first begins.  In fact, it almost has the feeling of the story of Jesus.  An Angel of the Lord appears and tells a family that they are going to miraculously have a baby.  The baby they have will be a savior to God's people.  He has a God-given assignment even before He was born.

Unfortunately, that's where the similarities end.  Jesus grew up, lived a sinless life, and died to become the Savior of all mankind.  

Samson seemed to do the exact opposite.  He was self-centered, egotistical, sex-driven, and rebellious against his parents.  His battles against Israelites enemies, the Philistines, were not driven out of a desire to please God nor a desire to do what is good, right, or Holy.  He fought out of jealousy, anger, and hatred for hurting him personally.  When he died, he killed God's enemies because of what they had done to him.

I often hear people speaking about God's plan and how we cannot get in the way of it happening.  I believe that is true.  But when all is said and done, my words and actions will make up the life I have lived.  I will be judged by God before all people for that life.  So will you.  When we get "home," we won't get to see whether God's plan worked out or not.  We already know the answer to that.  We will see all of our individual stories and how we fit into His plan.  The question will see answered is this.  Did God accomplish His plan through our willingness (like Jesus) or in spite of our disobedience (like Samson)?  Which will it be when we see the results of your life?