My view from "The Chair" this morning - I Samuel 17:38-40. At the start of my teaching career, I allowed a "Seasoned" kindergarten teacher to "help me'. This was fine at first, but then she started bringing me her clothes. I'm sure you've seen the appliqued "teacher" jumpers and sweatshirts with the apples, funky children with disproportionate heads, and yellow school buses. I felt obligated to wear them, so I did. Now mind you, I had a degree in clothing and textiles and LOVED the Audrey Hepburn look. I was completely as miserable as a caged cat in these denim, appliqued jumpers. Yes, just pause for a moment and have a good giggle. After a month of this, I realized what the problem really was. Even though I greatly admired her and wanted to emulate her, the clothes just made me as cranky as an ant with hemorrhoids.
In these verses we see Saul trying to "help" David, but Saul's clothes and weapons didn't fit David. David was smart and knew that as much as Saul was for Him and just wanted to help, He had to use what He knew and honestly thought of as "ordinary". David had to use the skills already in his hands to do this job of defeating Goliath with the Lord's help. God had already equipped him for this job and this moment. God would go before Him to take down Goliath if he used what he was already trained with. You see, God had been prepping him long before this day. He had placed David out as a shepherd with a slingshot and lots of opportunity to develop his skills with it. (Think about the skill it took to kill the lion.)
How often do I forget, that just like David, God has been equipping me precisely with what I will need, for what He is putting in front of me? He has equipped me to the point that I am comfortable and find it "ordinary" to use this skill, talent, or gift. He has a completely untangled view and won't leave us without help. How often do I look around and admire or want to emulate someone else's gifts instead of using what He has already equipped me with? Here is what I am realizing - Imposters are usually miserable and get stuck. Who are you? What is in your hands? What skill, gift, or talent seems "Ordinary" to you? I assure you, He wants you to use it with His guidance to be His hands and feet on this planet. Today, let's put on our own clothes and allow Him to use the skills and gifts He has already equipped us with? Until We Chat Again, The Plank-Eyed Girl
