It has been a long while since my last post. A lot has transpired in my life and at Fellowship Church. This summer has been tough. 4 key marriages came under attack. All 4 involved in my leadership core. Been a long time since I have lost my breath and struggled to breathe. For the entire summer, my spirit was out of breath and thought I was going to faint from the pressure and the dream inside was going to be aborted.
Then, as God would have it, an encounter with the Word changed it all for me. The encounter came through the story of David and Goliath and is found in 1 Samuel 17. In this story are three main figures - faces if you will. 3 Faces emerge from the pages of this story that have changed me and I want to share them with you.
It's important for those who are leaders because we are all of these faces - we have tendencies of each of these 3 faces in us. I will focus on leaders first then wrap it up next week by bringing home to all of us. But for now, let's look at leadership.
FACE 1 - SAULThe Bible says that Goliath came and challenged the armies of Saul. At the outset it's important to understand that Goliath was Saul's giant. He was Saul's challenge. He was Saul's problem. When David came to Saul - a man who was willing to address the problem, Saul puts him in HIS ARMOR. If Saul was concerned with protecting David, he would have found armor that would have fit David. But what is often missed in this story is the importance of SAUL's IMAGE ON THE BATTLEFIELD.
Lesson from Saul - There are some battles you CANNOT abdicate to someone else. You have to take them on. Your image is not enough. Giving authority to someone to stand in your stead is not enough. It's your baby - TAKE IT DOWN!!!!
FACE 2 - GOLIATHThe Bible says Goliath mocked and discounted David because of his size and his age. Goliath was better staffed with weapons. He had an armor bearer - someone who would go out and take the brunt of the attack if needed! He was the big daddy who didn't feel that the issue (David) was important enough for him to deal with.
Lesson from Goliath - It's the little things you discount that you don't think are important are the ones that will bring you down. DON'T MISS THIS. Your attitude and your words are enough to bring down your marriage. Your communication to others on a heart level is enough to lead to adultery. Do not miss this. The little things that you discount that you don't think are important are the ones that will bring you down.
FACE 3 - DAVID
The Bible says that when David approached Saul, willing to face Saul's giant, Saul discounted David in comparison to Goliath. Goliath was a warrior. David a shepherd. David a young man. Goliath a real man. David gave his resume - he defeated a lion and bear.
Lesson from David - You can't decapitate another person's giant until you defeat your lions and bears. Bears are seasonal animals and represent seasonal attacks. We have to recognize the season we are week so that we can defend ourselves against their attacks. Lions are constant predators and represent constant attacks that nip at our heels. As a minister, I cannot truly expect a move from God in my church to the level I want until I defeat the issues of my own life - the lions and bears!
Tomorrow, I will share how these faces apply to all people. Leaders - I hope you have some things to challenge your thoughts today. I know I do.
