Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be Strong and Courageous”
At a local pharmacy waiting on one of the concoctions that keeps me moving, I sat next to an older gentleman. We exchanged pleasantries and talked about the weather, as two old coots will do. He said it was okay if they took their time because it felt good to sit for a while. He said he was busier now than before he retired. Considering the day ahead and the giants that awaited me with my sling and a few small stones, it is hard to imagine being busier upon retirement. After completing his purchase, he turned to wish me a good day, and being slightly disoriented in the maze of store shelves, he said, “Oh, where the heck am I going?”
The last few weeks have been a struggle between new ideas and the same old tires in the same ruts. Feeling bruised and a bit disoriented myself; I repeated his words, “Oh, where the heck am I going?” A phone call interrupted the mundane silence of people waiting in line and the beeps of cash registers. It appears the Goliaths have found me and are shouting from the distance.
David spent his early days caring for sheep, battling bears, lions and anything else that threatened his flock. When he went to deliver food to his brothers, he heard Goliath taunting his people and his God. As many cowered from the mighty warrior, David chose instead to face him. They dressed him in armor but it was too heavy for his small frame. He chose instead to venture out with what he knew: a sling and a few small stones. The giant laughed at him, but David knew the battle would not be won by strength or sword, but by the Power of God. One small stone in one small sling from one small boy and the will of God and Goliath fell.
“Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.” 1 Samuel 17:40 – NIV
Words from this passage that have escaped me until now are that he “chose smooth stones from the stream”. These stones have been fashioned by many years of the stream’s waters passing over them. Likewise, my “shepherd’s bag” has a few small stones that have been shaped by the passing of “Living Water”. Rocks of faith, prayer, and the ability to listen for heavenly whispers, that tend to be overlooked when I need them most.
I have been facing giants and collapsing under the weight of other people’s armor when all I needed was a few small stones and my Father’s will.
Perhaps it is not as much “Oh where the heck am I going” as it is “Oh where the heck am I going without the power of the Almighty.”
Grateful that I know where I am going
And Blessed in Great Measure
If you have been blessed by my meager ramblings, send me a note at john@blessedingreatmeasure.com. I love to hear good stories.
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