We all want a purpose in life, but most of the time it seems like we are just going from task to task. Sometimes, we get a task from a boss or a parent, but we do not understand its purpose. We know this as a “wild goose chase.” God’s Word has a wild goose chase that can teach us something too. However, in the Bible, it is a “wild donkey chase.”

The story is found in 1 Samual chapter 9 as a young Saul is sent on a mission by his father, as he says, “Take one of the servants, and go and look for the donkeys” (1 Sam 9:3). There is no explanation given, but Saul was obedient and went to look for his dad’s donkey. Saul first went to the mountains of Ephraim and then to Shalisha, but they could not find the donkey (1 Sam 9:4). Saul kept up the search. He traveled to three other locations, but after not finding the donkey, they finally said, “Let’s go back or my father will stop thinking about the donkeys and will start worrying about us” (1 Sam 9:5).

Right when they were about to quit their seemingly impossible task to find this one donkey in the entire country, Saul’s servant remembered they were near a town with a prophet. They decided to get guidance from the prophet, who we find out is named Samuel. When Saul met Samuel, the prophet said, “Don’t worry about the donkeys you lost three days ago” (1 Sam 9:20).

Wait… What? Saul was on this mission and sought God’s direction and that’s it? Did Saul’s father send him on an impossible mission and then tell him not to worry about it? Maybe you are currently in that season where you have been wandering around looking for something or someone and don’t even know why. Not only that, but you feel like it is a complete waste of time because it is impossible to find if it is out there.

But there is more to the story…

Without Saul knowing, God spoke to Samuel and said, “The day before Saul came, the Lord had told Samuel: About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Appoint him to lead my people Israel” (1 Sam 9:15-16). Some time went by, and Saul had no idea why he was sent to Samual until the next chapter when Samuel said, “The Lord has appointed you to lead his people” (1 Sam 10:1).

Saul’s task to find a stray donkey was not the point, but his faithful obedience even when he didn’t understand was the test. You might be working to complete seemingly pointless tasks from a superior but be faithful in the small things because God could lead you to great things. Enjoy your wild donkey chase.