Embrace Your Small Beginnings

Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin, Zechariah 4:10a

Don’t despise the days of small beginnings because that is exactly what makes you into who you will be, and leads you step by step into your destiny.  When God saves you, He has a purpose for you, and you can trust Him, that those plans are good!.

Remember, David had a slingshot. What if he had always wished he had big sword, or the King’s armor? What if he had hated his slingshot instead of embracing what God had put in his hands?   He would not have learned to kill lions or bears and eventually the giant!

What if David had complained or grumbled about being a shepherd, instead of loving those sheep, and protecting them?   When that was the very training ground God used to teach him how to be a King and watch over God’s chosen people?

What if David had resented tending those sheep all alone at night?  When that was the very place where he sang to God, and played his harp under the stars.  Just think, it led to all those psalms and prophetic songs we now enjoy!  And it was anointed too…because it would sooth the savage beast in Saul!

What if he had never been so dishonored by family?  See, honor was important to him… because as a young boy he never had it.   If he had not known dishonor, he would not have hated it.  Hated it so much so, that he would confront a giant, and then kill him because he was dishonoring his God!!  Yes, see, when no one else would stand up for God’s honor, this young boy did!

Don’t despise where you are…you are going somewhere.
I say, learn to embrace it!   Let it shape you and mold you.
Squeeze every drop of oil or wine you can get out of it.
How can we be doubtful about our future?
When it ALL has purpose, and God will use it all for good.
Trust me, He will not waste a bit of it.

Small beginnings are good beginnings!

Be tried and true, and authentically YOU!

This morning I was thinking about David and Saul.   How Saul offered David his armor, but David said no.   He replied, “I have not proved them.”   David knew that even though Saul’s armor was amazing, since he was King, it would be the best; and although it could possibly protect him, he ALSO knew it wasn’t made for him.   He did not “know” it…so it just wasn’t “him.”  But the sling HE had proven those nights in the fields, protecting the sheep, yes, he knew what he could do with that simple slingshot and just one smooth stone.   Because God had taught him.

David could have cared more about his reputation and just said yes to please the King, but he had the courage to say no to him, and to be true to himself.  David knew who he was in God.  He had a relationship with Him that was tried and true, just like he did with the sling shot.  David was authentic.

What God has called others to do, He simply may not have called you or me to do. It’s easy to copy another, and try to be like them, because we want what they have or we want favor with people.  But, that is not God’s way…and it will never satisfy the longings of your heart.

One time in the spirit, Jesus and I were walking on the beach and there were shells as far as I could see. They were piled up on the shoreline like they do sometimes.  Jesus picked one up and held it in the palm of His hand. He looked into my eyes and said,
“There is not another shell like this one…anywhere. They are all different. Everyone.”

So simple, yet so profound. How much more are we like that to Him?

Everyone is called to pray; but few may be called to a life of continuous prayer like John Welch.   All are called to trust God’s provision; but, we may not be led to “prove” the LORD by giving away everything we have and going to rescue orphans, like Rolland and Heidi Baker.   We are all called to have faith, but none of us may walk on water like Peter did.

Sometimes I see artists take classes from another artist, and when they are done, their art looks just like the art teacher’s work. Oh how that grieves me!!!! They have lost their artistic “voice” by becoming like someone else.  Why do they do that, and more importantly, why would a teacher want them to do that?   I have also I heard people start to talk like the person they are studying under…or musicians that sound like the latest “superstar” on the radio.

It is a HUGE GIGANTIC ENORMOUS pet peeve of mine!!!   I want to be so original, so authentic, so true, so VERY ME…because it is THEN and ONLY then, that I am in MY sweet spot.  That spot where I totally get why God made me.  Yes…then I find my divine purpose.  And I am living IN it.

I think David knew that one day he would be King. I believe God must have told him when he was under those starry skies, watching over those sheep, worshiping the One that made them.  I also think he was a man of honor, because he was so dishonored by his family. When David hurt, he ran to God, where he worshiped and sang to the Lord, yes, he honored Him. That was how he encouraged himself in the Lord. Then God showed David honor because God honors those that honor Him. I also think David could not stand that giant dishonoring his God, because he truly knew the cruelty of it…AND He knew his God; His God was a God of honor.  David was intimate with the KING…and he loved the Creator so much, he was willing to fight and defend His Honor!

Honor yourself, and honor others.  Don’t mimic them, or try to be like them.  A person that values originality will NOT like being copied by you. Those that are looking to dominate you or build a following…will.

Be who you were created to be.  And if you don’t know…then run to God when you are hurting and in that secret place, with your Creator, you will become who you were created to be.   You will then be like David.  You will know what has been proved, and what works for you.  And you will become a giant slayer. A leader. A person after God’s own heart. Someone God will be able to use.  You will be the true you.

Know God and know yourself.   Be tried and true, and authentically YOU!

Delight yourself in Him, and He WILL give you the desires of your heart.

Want to be a giant slayer?

 

 

 

Where do you find your strength, courage and direction?

Where do you go to when you are in danger, distressed, upset, and afflicted?

1 Samuel 30
God has had me looking at this bit of scripture for a week or so. David and his men just came from battle, to discover their town burnt; all their children, wives and valuables taken. They were so upset they wept until they could not weep anymore. The men were so bitter and mad at David, because he was the leader, that they wanted to stone him.

Now it says, David was in great danger, distressed, upset, and afflicted.

So, what did David do, in that moment?
Did he call a prophet?
Did he plead his case?
Did he fight those men?
Did he explain himself?

NO…

David found and drew strength in the LORD his God.
He took courage from, and encouraged himself in Him.

Selah ❤

Then he sought God, asking Him what to do. God gave him direction, and a promise. “Pursue them, you will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue.”

On their way they find a slave that was part of the raiding party, but left behind, he has not eaten or drank for 3 days, he agrees to lead David right to them…as long as David promises not to kill him or give him back to his master.

They fought from dusk until night the next day, and none got away, except 400 young ones that rode away on camels. David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken, including his two wives. Nothing was missing: young or old, boy or girl, plunder or anything else they had taken. David brought everything back. He took all the flocks and herds, and his men drove them ahead of the other livestock.

Now 400 of these same men, that had wanted to kill him, were saying… “This is David’s plunder.” Praising him for the success.

200 had stayed behind, too tired, and the 400 that went were saying they should not have the same reward, but were called evil and wicked for being like that. David said “NO! We will all have the same reward, we will all share alike.”

Then David even took some from what they recovered and sent it to villages all around to those in all the other places where he and his men had roamed. And listen to what he said:
“Here is a gift for you from the plunder of the Lord’s enemies.”

He did not say, my enemies, or my people’s enemies. But the LORD’s enemies! His men had been calling the plunder his, but David called it God’s.

David was one with God, and he knew he was, that is why he was strong and courageous. He knew he could ask God what to do and God would tell him, not only that, but God would also give him a promise, and deliver!

This is why David won battles and the reason he was loved by those he served and led.

If you want to be a giant slayer, you need to hang out with Someone bigger, stronger and smarter that any giant.

You need to learn to draw your strength and courage from Him. To think like God and not like the wicked men that did not want to share the plunder. And you need to KNOW that you and God are one, everything you do, you do in Him, by Him and for Him. Peace will be yours, because you know, if someone comes against you, they are coming against Him, and for that reason, you are forever safe and secure.