12.01.2025
11.24.2025
Be a Noah
The story of Noah in the Bible is a fascinating one. Here's a man that is in an extremely evil world trying to obey God. He has a wife, 3 sons, their wives, and they are just going about their daily lives. Along comes God telling him to build a big boat. What?? Why?? At this time in the world, they had never experienced rain; they would think he was crazy saying water was going to fall from the sky! The world had gotten bad...and when I say bad...it was an evil like we have yet to see in our modern times. God knew something had to be done, and He saw the heart of Noah and could trust him to listen, obey, and follow His instructions.
Build a boat, God said, and Noah immediately responded with, Yes, I will do it! But, with building that boat came a lot of questions from others. What was Noah doing? Why was he doing this? They mocked him and didn't believe him when he explained why he was doing it. Despite all the judgment, belittling, and disbelief from others, Noah and his family moved forward. They built the boat and began to wait. The animals came, the rains fell, and God shut the door. Noah and his family were faithful despite the persecution! He built this boat while watching those he loved reject God and His teaching. Genesis 6:22 says, "Noah did everything just as God commanded him." Wow! If you read all of Genesis 6, you will see the specific details that God laid out for Noah. He was a righteous man who listened and followed God! It doesn't say, "Well...Noah thought about it and decided it wasn't a good fit for him and his family." No...it says...Noah did EVERYTHING that God commanded him."
What is God calling you to do today? It's probably not to build a big boat, but maybe it's as simple as praying more, helping your neighbor, or telling your family about Jesus, even if they make fun of you and are in disbelief.
Be a Noah! You may be doing things that don't make sense, but God knows what He needs and what He wants you to do to fulfill that. Be a Noah! People will think you are weird; you're building a boat, but you've never seen rain! Be a Noah! People are watching you; they want to know why you are doing the things you are doing! Know that it's hard in the waiting. While Noah built this boat, God was still waiting for lives to turn around. The work was hard, the people unkind, and Noah had to be frustrated while still trying to be patient. He was waiting on God, relying completely on God's direction and the strength to complete the task God had for him, no matter how long it took. Has God ever asked you to do something that is WAY outside of your comfort zone? Did you say yes, or did you say, "Lord, use someone else!" Did you build the boat, and now you're waiting for rain? Or…maybe you are too scared to pick up that first piece of wood and are afraid of what others will say. Do you think Noah wanted to build a boat? He had a wife and 3 sons, and you would think the last thing on his mind would be to build something that would take him decades to build! But he allowed God to use him, and the second God asked him to, he said, "I'll do it!" Whatever God is asking you to do, know that God already has the tools, the wood, and the materials ready for you. He knows your strengths and weaknesses and is ready to use you just as you are. If God is stirring your heart today and asks you to build that boat...say yes! God has you and can and will use you to fulfill his purpose! Don't just stand around with your umbrella and hope that rain doesn't fall! Get out that hammer, grab those nails and build that boat! When God asks...say Yes! Be a Noah!
11.16.2019
Thankful For Our Scars!
When we think of Thanksgiving, we think of family gatherings and lots of food. We take the time to think about all the things we are thankful for. Many families gather around a table filled with turkey and all the fixings and express their gratefulness for the things they hold dear.
We are always thankful for the good things, the blessings. We express thankfulness for our family, our health, and any wealth that God may have provided for us in the past year. But, we never thank God for the trials, the many things that He has taught us, or the scars that have taken place during those low moments in our year.
When I was thinking about what to say today, I was going to make a list of all things we should be grateful for and try to remember to help others out this holiday season. That is a great message, but God slowly revealed a different side to the meaning of being thankful. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, God’s word says, “ Be thankful in ALL circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” The key word here is ALL. It’s easy to be thankful for ALL those amazing blessings, but it sure is hard to be thankful for ALL those learning experiences that leave those scars.
Have you ever been through something and you feel alone, and then out of nowhere you find out someone understands? I had that happen last month. A parent was going through something, and I shared that I had been through the same thing. Their eyes instantly filled with tears as they thanked me for sharing and reminding them that they are not alone. It may not be ideal to go through these trials in life, but the scars they leave can be reminders of where we have been, they can be lessons learned, joy in reminding us that we are no longer in that place, and we may even become thankful for the scars that God gave us so that we maybe can understand what others are going through or cause gratitude at what God saved us from.
My last story is a personal one for me. When my boys were little, we were busy doing “life”. Things were going well, my husband had a great job, my boys were healthy, I was thankful, but the company my husband worked for announced that right before Thanksgiving they would be laying off 300 people. My husband was one of those 300 people. Eventually the company closed down. I remember standing in my kitchen, shocked at what I was hearing. Right before the holidays, my husband lost his job and I remember just looking at my boys and trying not to panic. I remember thinking, “God’s got this. We will be ok. Hopefully it won’t be long and he will have something quickly take its place.” Well, when you have 300 people ALL looking for jobs at the same time, let’s just say the market doesn’t run in your favor! We spent 3 years in part-time jobs just trying to survive! The struggle was real. I remember at the end of the 3 years, I finally just broke down on my bathroom floor in tears. I felt frustrated, mentally exhausted, and that God had left us at times. Let’s say my faith had left me for a moment. My husband had put out so many resumes that I used to joke that we could make wallpaper out of the rejection letters! Then one day, the call came! A full-time job! I cannot even begin to tell you how thankful I was. I still remember every moment of the day that he lost his job and the day he received a job. I can tell you where I was standing, what was said, the amount of joy we had when the call came. 3 years of scars, and in that moment, God reminded us that it will all be ok. I learned a lot from those scars. God constantly reminds me to trust Him through it all. He reminds me that I am not in control, and He reminds me to be thankful in any job that I hold and I hold this one dear to my heart. I am thankful for my scars, for it showed me how to rely on God in all circumstances.
So, when we think about all the amazing things that God has blessed us with this month, let’s take a moment to remember those things He saved us from and be thankful for those scars!
We are always thankful for the good things, the blessings. We express thankfulness for our family, our health, and any wealth that God may have provided for us in the past year. But, we never thank God for the trials, the many things that He has taught us, or the scars that have taken place during those low moments in our year.
When I was thinking about what to say today, I was going to make a list of all things we should be grateful for and try to remember to help others out this holiday season. That is a great message, but God slowly revealed a different side to the meaning of being thankful. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, God’s word says, “ Be thankful in ALL circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” The key word here is ALL. It’s easy to be thankful for ALL those amazing blessings, but it sure is hard to be thankful for ALL those learning experiences that leave those scars.
Have you ever been through something and you feel alone, and then out of nowhere you find out someone understands? I had that happen last month. A parent was going through something, and I shared that I had been through the same thing. Their eyes instantly filled with tears as they thanked me for sharing and reminding them that they are not alone. It may not be ideal to go through these trials in life, but the scars they leave can be reminders of where we have been, they can be lessons learned, joy in reminding us that we are no longer in that place, and we may even become thankful for the scars that God gave us so that we maybe can understand what others are going through or cause gratitude at what God saved us from.
My last story is a personal one for me. When my boys were little, we were busy doing “life”. Things were going well, my husband had a great job, my boys were healthy, I was thankful, but the company my husband worked for announced that right before Thanksgiving they would be laying off 300 people. My husband was one of those 300 people. Eventually the company closed down. I remember standing in my kitchen, shocked at what I was hearing. Right before the holidays, my husband lost his job and I remember just looking at my boys and trying not to panic. I remember thinking, “God’s got this. We will be ok. Hopefully it won’t be long and he will have something quickly take its place.” Well, when you have 300 people ALL looking for jobs at the same time, let’s just say the market doesn’t run in your favor! We spent 3 years in part-time jobs just trying to survive! The struggle was real. I remember at the end of the 3 years, I finally just broke down on my bathroom floor in tears. I felt frustrated, mentally exhausted, and that God had left us at times. Let’s say my faith had left me for a moment. My husband had put out so many resumes that I used to joke that we could make wallpaper out of the rejection letters! Then one day, the call came! A full-time job! I cannot even begin to tell you how thankful I was. I still remember every moment of the day that he lost his job and the day he received a job. I can tell you where I was standing, what was said, the amount of joy we had when the call came. 3 years of scars, and in that moment, God reminded us that it will all be ok. I learned a lot from those scars. God constantly reminds me to trust Him through it all. He reminds me that I am not in control, and He reminds me to be thankful in any job that I hold and I hold this one dear to my heart. I am thankful for my scars, for it showed me how to rely on God in all circumstances.
So, when we think about all the amazing things that God has blessed us with this month, let’s take a moment to remember those things He saved us from and be thankful for those scars!
9.16.2019
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Freedom
Have you ever had those moments when the Holy Spirit whispers in your ear to do something, but you don't want to do it? It's like God wants to put you in the most awkward positions to get you do what He has asked of you. As a Christian, I try hard to allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide me. He is definitely no man made GPS, for He is accurate 100% of the time. He knows the entire situations of not just me, but my surroundings. As a human, I gauge things according to my feelings, my situations, and follow accordingly, but God wants us to view things from others perspectives, not just our own.
On the flip side...have you ever felt alone. I mean...alone, yet you are surrounded by people? Even if the people truly care about you, you can face this loneliness that only you understand. Maybe you are the type of person who doesn't know how to reach out to others. It takes alot of courage to open your mouth and speak those few words, "Please help me." It makes you feel vulnerable, exposed, and you feel like once you say them, people will view you differently and in the end you feel even more alone.
I was recently in a restaurant with people I know well. Despite knowing them well, I knew that one person in particular struggles with anxiety and depression. This person represents the loneliness that one can feel in a crowded room. This person is overwhelmed by crowds, struggling with her own personal needs, and consumed by what the week had brought before her. Despite surrounded by an entire room of people, some of whom love her, you can tell she always feels alone. At times she blurts out how she feels and at other times she pushes her feelings deep, deep down.
Sensing how her week had been going, I began to ask questions and figured out some of the issues that plagued her this past week. The Holy Spirit nudged me to pray with her. Pray with her? That's the easy part, but praying with her in a crowded restaurant, surrounded by people looking, awkwardly asking if I could pray for her, and wondering her reaction was the hard part! As we were leaving, I walked over, put my arm around her and asked if I could pray for her. She said, yes, and I quietly pulled her aside, prayed for her, left a scripture that God had for her, and we went our separate ways. For me, despite it being awkward, it was something I knew that God wanted me to do. I put aside my feelings, put aside her feelings, and put God's wants first. Sure, it was probably extremely awkward for her as well. Yet, I know that sometimes when people can't physically speak and ask for help, that God sees their heart, hears their cries, and knows what's best for them.
I am not a hero. I am nobody. I am just a person that God placed there to speak His life into another. He orchestrates our lives, places us in situations, and stretches us to further His work. What is the Holy Spirit nudging you to do today? Will it completely pull you out of your comfort zone? Will it create awkward moments? Will you refuse? If I had refused, I could not have ministered to a hurting person at a time when she needed God most. I want to encourage you all today to listen to what God is telling you. That little nudge in your spirit...that's the Holy Spirit, asking you to be there for another...asking you to step outside of your comfort zone to comfort another, giving them freedom. The verse for you today is "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." 2 Corinthians 3:17.
On the flip side...have you ever felt alone. I mean...alone, yet you are surrounded by people? Even if the people truly care about you, you can face this loneliness that only you understand. Maybe you are the type of person who doesn't know how to reach out to others. It takes alot of courage to open your mouth and speak those few words, "Please help me." It makes you feel vulnerable, exposed, and you feel like once you say them, people will view you differently and in the end you feel even more alone.
I was recently in a restaurant with people I know well. Despite knowing them well, I knew that one person in particular struggles with anxiety and depression. This person represents the loneliness that one can feel in a crowded room. This person is overwhelmed by crowds, struggling with her own personal needs, and consumed by what the week had brought before her. Despite surrounded by an entire room of people, some of whom love her, you can tell she always feels alone. At times she blurts out how she feels and at other times she pushes her feelings deep, deep down.
Sensing how her week had been going, I began to ask questions and figured out some of the issues that plagued her this past week. The Holy Spirit nudged me to pray with her. Pray with her? That's the easy part, but praying with her in a crowded restaurant, surrounded by people looking, awkwardly asking if I could pray for her, and wondering her reaction was the hard part! As we were leaving, I walked over, put my arm around her and asked if I could pray for her. She said, yes, and I quietly pulled her aside, prayed for her, left a scripture that God had for her, and we went our separate ways. For me, despite it being awkward, it was something I knew that God wanted me to do. I put aside my feelings, put aside her feelings, and put God's wants first. Sure, it was probably extremely awkward for her as well. Yet, I know that sometimes when people can't physically speak and ask for help, that God sees their heart, hears their cries, and knows what's best for them.
I am not a hero. I am nobody. I am just a person that God placed there to speak His life into another. He orchestrates our lives, places us in situations, and stretches us to further His work. What is the Holy Spirit nudging you to do today? Will it completely pull you out of your comfort zone? Will it create awkward moments? Will you refuse? If I had refused, I could not have ministered to a hurting person at a time when she needed God most. I want to encourage you all today to listen to what God is telling you. That little nudge in your spirit...that's the Holy Spirit, asking you to be there for another...asking you to step outside of your comfort zone to comfort another, giving them freedom. The verse for you today is "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." 2 Corinthians 3:17.
12.03.2017
Where Are Your Steps Taking You?
What is your purpose in life? Why did God put you on this earth at this specific time? Why are you at the job you are at? What path are you suppose to take in the future? These are all great questions that God has answers to! Unfortunately, He doesn't always lay it out in front of us in a daily map! Wouldn't that be nice!
Many of us live life in a monotonous fashion. We get up way too early for our taste and fumble our way in the dark to find that ever so hidden light switch. We drag ourselves with eyes clenched over to the coffee machine, where we beg for a cup to brew quickly and go through the tedious motions of getting ready for our day. We get to our job and force our way through each boring task, waiting for that final "bell" to ring. We then drive home, plop ourselves in front of the tv, and finally fall asleep. We awake, yet again, as we begrudgingly start the next day all over again. This humdrum life we live becomes meaningless and overall depressing!
What is God's purpose for us? What are we missing in our average day to day? Many of us think that to be called by God we have to be a missionary, out in the trenches, fighting to survive to tell others about Christ. But, if we are all missionaries, where are the doctors to take care of us if we are sick? Well, then we have to be pastors, standing in front of the pulpit to be used by God! Nope! If we were all pastors, who would fight those fires when your crazy cooking gets out of hand? God has called us to be the light right where He has placed us. He hasn't called us all to be missionaries overseas, but He might be calling you to pray for the person in that cubicle next to you and invite them to church. He may not have called you to be a pastor, but He may be asking you to help a needy family during the holiday season.
If life has become a daily chore for you, I encourage to stop and look around you this holiday season. What is your purpose for being at your job? I am not talking about the importance of your job from an earthly standpoint; I am talking about the spiritual reason that God has placed you where you are each day? Who do you see? Really look into the eyes of that Starbucks barista handing you that coffee each morning. Why did God put them in front of you that day? Why did you drive by that accident on the way to work? Was it because of your strong CPR skills? No, take a moment to pray for the people involved and remember them throughout the day. Who knows where they will eternally be that day.
I charge you to open your eyes daily. Truly take a moment to really look at each person that crosses your path, listen carefully to those people on the phone that you may be helping pay their bill, or observe the co-worker that might be struggling that day. What can you do for them? If nothing physically, then may we always remember to pray for those around us, for God has a purpose for you and for them. God does not make mistakes and has ordered your steps and theirs. Where are your steps taking you today?
Psalm 90: 10& 12 "The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away...So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom."
Many of us live life in a monotonous fashion. We get up way too early for our taste and fumble our way in the dark to find that ever so hidden light switch. We drag ourselves with eyes clenched over to the coffee machine, where we beg for a cup to brew quickly and go through the tedious motions of getting ready for our day. We get to our job and force our way through each boring task, waiting for that final "bell" to ring. We then drive home, plop ourselves in front of the tv, and finally fall asleep. We awake, yet again, as we begrudgingly start the next day all over again. This humdrum life we live becomes meaningless and overall depressing!
What is God's purpose for us? What are we missing in our average day to day? Many of us think that to be called by God we have to be a missionary, out in the trenches, fighting to survive to tell others about Christ. But, if we are all missionaries, where are the doctors to take care of us if we are sick? Well, then we have to be pastors, standing in front of the pulpit to be used by God! Nope! If we were all pastors, who would fight those fires when your crazy cooking gets out of hand? God has called us to be the light right where He has placed us. He hasn't called us all to be missionaries overseas, but He might be calling you to pray for the person in that cubicle next to you and invite them to church. He may not have called you to be a pastor, but He may be asking you to help a needy family during the holiday season.
If life has become a daily chore for you, I encourage to stop and look around you this holiday season. What is your purpose for being at your job? I am not talking about the importance of your job from an earthly standpoint; I am talking about the spiritual reason that God has placed you where you are each day? Who do you see? Really look into the eyes of that Starbucks barista handing you that coffee each morning. Why did God put them in front of you that day? Why did you drive by that accident on the way to work? Was it because of your strong CPR skills? No, take a moment to pray for the people involved and remember them throughout the day. Who knows where they will eternally be that day.
I charge you to open your eyes daily. Truly take a moment to really look at each person that crosses your path, listen carefully to those people on the phone that you may be helping pay their bill, or observe the co-worker that might be struggling that day. What can you do for them? If nothing physically, then may we always remember to pray for those around us, for God has a purpose for you and for them. God does not make mistakes and has ordered your steps and theirs. Where are your steps taking you today?
Psalm 90: 10& 12 "The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away...So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom."
3.10.2017
Find Your Passion!
Have you ever noticed when others or yourself are working out of obligation instead of passion, and the fire for what they are doing is just...out? Whether it be your job, church, family, or other obligations, even if the person is great at what they do, and people can find them irreplaceable, it is not where their joy is...their spark for it is....dead. God has been showing me, as I watch others, the difference between being great at something out of obligation and being great at something with a passion! Those are two totally different things! One is like going through the motions and the other is going above and beyond with a smile on your face, joy in your heart and a spring in your step! What are your passions? Are you going through the motions because you are great at what you do? Are you enduring and just passing the days? ...Or are you striving for that passion that only God gives through His calling?
If you find yourself complaining more about what you are doing than finding actual joy in it, then it is time to reevaluate! This is not to say that you won't have bad days and times where you second guess your choice...we all have those days and shouldn't run on emotion. But....if you feel like you are just going through the motions, then I encourage you today to pick up that pen and write a poem, paint a picture, jump out of that plane, run with the bulls, and tomorrow, play in the snow...all with a smile on your face and joy in your heart! Find the passion that God has stirred in you and begin to pursue it!
"Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” (Proverbs 19:21).
If you find yourself complaining more about what you are doing than finding actual joy in it, then it is time to reevaluate! This is not to say that you won't have bad days and times where you second guess your choice...we all have those days and shouldn't run on emotion. But....if you feel like you are just going through the motions, then I encourage you today to pick up that pen and write a poem, paint a picture, jump out of that plane, run with the bulls, and tomorrow, play in the snow...all with a smile on your face and joy in your heart! Find the passion that God has stirred in you and begin to pursue it!
"Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” (Proverbs 19:21).
8.31.2016
Release Your Inner David!
Last night while I was sleeping, I began to dream. I felt this presence come over me. It held me down, shut my lips, and would not allow me to move. As I was laying there, motionless, the only thing that I could whisper was, "Jesus". I began to whisper it over and over. I was slowly able to say it louder and louder, until my lips were loosened, and I was able to say, "In the name of Jesus!" I suddenly awoke! My heart was pounding out of my chest! I snuggled close to my husband, as if he could protect me from this nightmare. I laid in silence, heart pounding, for what felt like an eternity. Everytime I felt that my heart was about to slow down, it began to pound once again. My heart finally settled down, and I felt a peace come over me. God said to me, "Release your inner David." Release my inner David? What does that even mean. I slowly got up the courage to grab my Bible, leave my little, safe cocoon, and go onto the couch to figure out what God was trying to tell me.
Most people have heard of the story of David and Goliath. Even if you don't crack the Bible often, you have heard of that story as a child. It takes place in 1 Samuel 17. In this story you have war. The fight is between the Israelites and Philistines. In the story it talks about a Giant named, Goliath. The Bible states that Goliath was 9 ft 4" tall! Wow! It says his helmet was made of bronze, and his armor weighed 125 lbs! The army of the Philistines stood behind their giant. He went each day to the front of the line and screamed, "Send one of your 'men' to fight me!"
Now, in this story, we know of a young shepherd boy. He was, just a boy. He helped his father and older brothers tend their sheep. While some of his brothers went off to fight, his father sent him to take them food and to check-up on them. David took the food, and while at the front of the battle line, he watched as this giant of a man came out and said his speech once again. "Send one of your 'men' to fight me!" David, although just a boy, wanted to know what was going to be done about this giant that mocked God and their army. It says that David said to Saul, "Don't let anyone be discouraged, I, your servant will go and fight this Philistine! 1 Samuel 17:32. Can you imagine what Saul is thinking right now? He has an army of all these strong men that run and hide at the sight of this giant, and this boy comes to him, ready to step up to the plate and take him head on! It says that Saul replied, "You can't go against this Philistine and fight him, you're only a boy! (Vs 33). After David convinced Saul that he was right for this job, Saul tried to give him armor. This armor was way too heavy, for he was only a boy! He told Saul that he could not wear it for he was not used to it. He took it off and as we all know, found those smooth stones. A weapon he was used to. He was familiar with it, because God had already trained him how to use it effectively in his life.
Now, little David was ready to face this giant. He had his large, strong army...er...scared army behind him. He has his amazing armor...um...his slingshot and rock, while Goliath had a confident army, and armor that probably weighed as much as David alone! David did not let those thoughts stop him! He knew that God was with him. In the Bible it says that Goliath began to go towards David. At that moment, David ran to meet him! Not only did David go out there with no army behind him and no armor, he ran to his enemy! It says he took that one smooth stone, and you know the rest! Yep, right between the eyes! Down goes that 9 ft 4 inch giant! One stone!
Now, what does that story have to do with me? With us? I am but a small person. I am human, weak, and at times feel ill-equipped. We have mountains that we face, dragons to conquer, and giants to kill. But....we are just a boy inside. We feel at times these giants are too much for us. We run, we hide, we look for others to fight for us. We look at the armor of the enemy and think about how strong they must be as we sit and hold this little, tiny rock in our hands. We forget at times that we have the greatest weapon...God! The Bible says, "If God is for us, who can be against us!"
Last night, I awoke from a dream where I was held down, mouth muzzled, not allowed to move! The one thing I could do? Say the name of Jesus! It started out as a whisper, and grew, and grew! I awoke! Fear overcame me! God took over and encouraged me to find my "Inner David"....my confidence...my calling!
What giants are you facing today? Do you feel overwhelmed, inadequate, ill-equipped, and like you are just a small boy that is powerless against such an obstacle? Release your inner David today. Do you think David had fear? Do you think that his heart was pounding out of his chest while he ran to his enemy? I do! I feel, though, he ran with confidence! He knew that God had prepared him for this moment...not with swords, bows, guns, grenades, but with a sling and a stone, that had been used to protect his family's sheep. What is your weapon? What has God given you to defeat those giants in your life? Use what is uniquely yours, given to you by God! Take hold of that sling, be confident, run up to that giant, and release your inner David!
Most people have heard of the story of David and Goliath. Even if you don't crack the Bible often, you have heard of that story as a child. It takes place in 1 Samuel 17. In this story you have war. The fight is between the Israelites and Philistines. In the story it talks about a Giant named, Goliath. The Bible states that Goliath was 9 ft 4" tall! Wow! It says his helmet was made of bronze, and his armor weighed 125 lbs! The army of the Philistines stood behind their giant. He went each day to the front of the line and screamed, "Send one of your 'men' to fight me!"
Now, in this story, we know of a young shepherd boy. He was, just a boy. He helped his father and older brothers tend their sheep. While some of his brothers went off to fight, his father sent him to take them food and to check-up on them. David took the food, and while at the front of the battle line, he watched as this giant of a man came out and said his speech once again. "Send one of your 'men' to fight me!" David, although just a boy, wanted to know what was going to be done about this giant that mocked God and their army. It says that David said to Saul, "Don't let anyone be discouraged, I, your servant will go and fight this Philistine! 1 Samuel 17:32. Can you imagine what Saul is thinking right now? He has an army of all these strong men that run and hide at the sight of this giant, and this boy comes to him, ready to step up to the plate and take him head on! It says that Saul replied, "You can't go against this Philistine and fight him, you're only a boy! (Vs 33). After David convinced Saul that he was right for this job, Saul tried to give him armor. This armor was way too heavy, for he was only a boy! He told Saul that he could not wear it for he was not used to it. He took it off and as we all know, found those smooth stones. A weapon he was used to. He was familiar with it, because God had already trained him how to use it effectively in his life.
Now, little David was ready to face this giant. He had his large, strong army...er...scared army behind him. He has his amazing armor...um...his slingshot and rock, while Goliath had a confident army, and armor that probably weighed as much as David alone! David did not let those thoughts stop him! He knew that God was with him. In the Bible it says that Goliath began to go towards David. At that moment, David ran to meet him! Not only did David go out there with no army behind him and no armor, he ran to his enemy! It says he took that one smooth stone, and you know the rest! Yep, right between the eyes! Down goes that 9 ft 4 inch giant! One stone!
Now, what does that story have to do with me? With us? I am but a small person. I am human, weak, and at times feel ill-equipped. We have mountains that we face, dragons to conquer, and giants to kill. But....we are just a boy inside. We feel at times these giants are too much for us. We run, we hide, we look for others to fight for us. We look at the armor of the enemy and think about how strong they must be as we sit and hold this little, tiny rock in our hands. We forget at times that we have the greatest weapon...God! The Bible says, "If God is for us, who can be against us!"
Last night, I awoke from a dream where I was held down, mouth muzzled, not allowed to move! The one thing I could do? Say the name of Jesus! It started out as a whisper, and grew, and grew! I awoke! Fear overcame me! God took over and encouraged me to find my "Inner David"....my confidence...my calling!
What giants are you facing today? Do you feel overwhelmed, inadequate, ill-equipped, and like you are just a small boy that is powerless against such an obstacle? Release your inner David today. Do you think David had fear? Do you think that his heart was pounding out of his chest while he ran to his enemy? I do! I feel, though, he ran with confidence! He knew that God had prepared him for this moment...not with swords, bows, guns, grenades, but with a sling and a stone, that had been used to protect his family's sheep. What is your weapon? What has God given you to defeat those giants in your life? Use what is uniquely yours, given to you by God! Take hold of that sling, be confident, run up to that giant, and release your inner David!
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