Posted on August 25, 2009 at 7:48am.
I have been reading in I Samuel, and this morning landed on an all familiar story. David and Golliath. Sometimes when you read what is familiar, your mind finishes the story before your eyes have finished reading. Today, I tried to move slowly, and pondered on the familiar. David was the youngest in his family, in fact when his father presented his sons, David was out tending to the sheep. Last borns are not often taken seriously. When David’s father sent him to the battle lines to bring food to his brothers, he walked right into the threat of the Philistines, and their giant warrior Golliath. David did not go from wandering pensive shepherd to slaying the giant. The text tells us that David was no stranger to opposition, and implies that David had seen God come through for him a few times before his confrontation with Golliath. He had defended the sheep by slaying lions, and snatching sheep from the jaws of bears. David had seen God do a mighty work, in and through him, long before Golliath, and it was on this history with God, and a personal confidence that the Almighty would deliver like he had before, that encouraged him to defend his people in the name of God. Not sure what you might be facing today, but take a look back, think about the lions, and tigers, and bears that God has empowerred you to slay, for he has rescued us time and time again. Allow your history of God’s faithfulness to encourage and empower you to trust him today.
Posted on August 5, 2009 at 10:19am.
I confess a guilty pleasure - my girls got me hooked on this Lifetime show called “Ruby”. It is the story of a 700 pond woman who is on a journey of health. She is down under 350 now, and on the last episode she was having a rough time parting with the clothes that she wore at 700. These dresses for her are more than clothing, they are markers in her identity. To let go of them is to let go of the past, the only life she had ever known as an adult. I gota tell you, I was riveted to her fear, to her dilemma. And I know why. God is transforming me, changing me, redefining me. I have the same fear, letting go of thoughts, beliefs, patterns of thinking that have been markers for me in my identity. If I let them go - as unhealthy as they are, then what? Becoming this new person Christ is transforming me to be is someone I am not yet comfortable becoming. It’s odd that we would hold on to the crud that we know, rather than leap into the health that the Spirit longs to bring. Putting on this new identity is not as easy as it sounds, but a I am grateful for the movement that God is bringing to pass.
