Snake boots are essential apparel for anyone hunting deer in South Carolina in August. I owned a lace up pair, but I had always wanted a pair of leather seventeen inch high pull-on Chippewa boots. I finally had enough extra money to buy them, but I encountered a problem! The salesman slid the left one on without any resistance, but I had sprained my right ankle so many times it just would not bend enough to let the boot slip onto my right foot. But, the salesman was determined he was going to make his sale—baby powder, thinner socks, long shoe spoons and anything else he could imagine that might force it on my foot. “It doesn’t fit,” I repeatedly insisted as he tugged and pushed. His efforts were becoming painful so I finally got up and walked out of the store. Disappointed, but I realized that some things do not fit and would not work for me.
This incident came back to my mind as I was meditating on the story of David and Goliath this week. Israel had been in a standoff with the Philistines for almost six weeks. No one in the Israelite army would face off with Goliath the Philistine’s nine foot nine inch champion. The young shepherd David, who was in his early twenties, was making his routine delivery of food to his brothers who were soldiers. Seeing the disgrace this was bringing to the nation, David volunteered to battle Goliath. Since he had chased down and killed a bear and a lion attacking his sheep, he was confident that through the LORD’s strength he could destroy this defiler in the name of the Lord of Hosts. King Saul was desperate and gave his approval. But David was not a soldier and of course, soldiers wore armored military outfits. This was the standard; Saul insisted David wear his personal armor. After putting everything on, David tried to walk but he could hardly budge. David told Saul, “I can’t even move with all this stuff on me. I’m not used to this” (MSG 17:39). Simply put, it did not fit and he was not skilled in using these customary implements of battle.
And he took it all off (v39). Instead, David grabbed his shepherd’s gear, picked up five small rocks and ran toward this giant that the Israelite army had run from. David used what he had and what he was skilled in using—his staff and sling; the five stones were what was available. With these unconventional weapons, he struck down Goliath, and then killed the giant with his own sword. Now imagine for a moment how much different this would have been if he had faced Goliath in Saul’s cumbersome armor. We probably would have never heard the story of David and Goliath in Sunday-School. What is the lesson for us?
I admit that I am an eccentric. I think differently, and I have always done things differently. After the LORD called me into fulltime ministry, I soon discovered I was not supposed to be ‘me’ any longer. Ministers were expected to wear a ‘tradition outfit’—an accepted decorum, a particular personality, the established bureaucracy, and perform task even if it was not their gift, etc. I tried, but the harder I tried, the more miserable I became. None of the traditional expectations fit. I was told that I must pastor despite the fact it was not my gifting. I was told I had to do door-door evangelism, but again, it was not my gift plus I was still horrified of strangers. Needless to say, I was not successful and certainly not happy. I could probably write pages of expected standards in which I did not fit. I finally realized I needed to take off the customary ‘apparel’ and be the individual God had designed and use the talents and gifts the Holy Spirit had given me. Not only was I finally happy in the work of ministry, I also killed some giants.
This theme is integrated in much of my writing, because it grieves me to encounter Christians who are trying to wear what does not fit and to minister outside their God given skills and gifts because of tradition. We live in a world filled with, not only Goliaths, but also his four brothers, his uncles and aunts, his cousins, and in fact, the whole clan. Giants are on an all-out assault against Christianity. We need some Davids who will be the individuals that God designed them to be, who will use the skills and gifts God gave them, and bring down giants who everyone else fears. Note also that after David killed Goliath, the Philistines turned and ran. The Israelite army was inspired and ran after them and killed many. One David can motivate an army.
I still wear my lace-up snake boots; they fit and protect me. I am still learning to put aside the traditional expectations that do not fit, be who God designed me to be, use my skills and talents, and slay more giants.
SUSTAINING WORD FOR THE WEEK: Slay a giant this week! The first giant is accepting what God made you to be and using the skills, talents, and gifts He gave you. After that, you can battle Goliath and his clan plus you might motivate others to do the same.