1 John: As for you, the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and so you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, abide in him.
The Lord instructed Samuel to go to the house of Jesse to anoint the new king. Jesse had eight sons, and when Samuel tried to pour the oil over the heads of seven of them, but the oil did not pour. "...for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." (NRSVCE 1 Samuel 16:7)
"Are these all your sons," Samuel asked of Jesse.
"I have one other, the youngest, David who is tending the sheep," Jesse said.
"Send for him," Samuel said.
When David arrived, Samuel rose to meet him and poured the oil over his head, and anointed David as king of Israel. Of course, David had to wait many years before he called to rule.
I'm the youngest and I can tell you from experience that more often than not, I was overlooked, discounted, surely not anointed in any way. Lately, I've seen many Baptisms and the priest not only pours water over the child's head, but also anoints the child with oil. Thus, anointing us in Christ. The truth is that we were anointed at Baptism and that anointing cannot be taken away from us, ever. It is with us for life, sealed in Christ.
Sometimes our true calling takes some time to discern.
May we relax this day, and live up to our anointing, abiding in the love of God.