We all have something we struggle with. That “thing” that we think sets us apart from
everyone else. That spot in the deepest
part of our soul that captures our thoughts and discourages us into thinking we
aren’t good enough or that we don’t measure up...that there’s something in our life that’s as big as Goliath. Something we think we can’t defeat. For you it may be alcohol, drugs, self-hatred,
food, pornography, fear, for someone else it may be shame, depression, defiance, laziness,
a lack of self-control. But there’s one thing we all have in common. In some way our life is broken. There’s an area in our life that we can’t
conquer on our own.
And that is a
blessing.
Wait, what did she say?
My brokenness is a blessing? Yes. In 2 Corinthians 12:9-11 Jesus tells us that
His power is made perfect in our weakness. He says that we should delight in our
difficulties because when we are weak, then we are strong. We create for ourselves this reliance, this
dependency on God. And that is precisely
what He wants.
David. The boy
everyone thought was weak… going up against Goliath, the nine foot Philistine giant
that towered over even the strongest of men.
(Think Danny DiVito and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in a slam dunk contest). David had a sling shot and a rock and people
around him thought he was crazy. But he
knew that he had God on his side and that even though he was weak his God was
strong. David. The shepherd who became a king.
So what is your Goliath?
What is that thing that feels so much bigger than anything you can
conquer on your own?
Steven Arterburn, a well- known Christian author/
psychologist/ pastor often says “we are waiting for God to do what God is
waiting for us to do.” Could God take
away our brokenness? Of course He could. But he doesn’t always. Just like God could’ve defeated Goliath all
on His own. But He didn’t. Why? I
believe that it was because he had a greater plan. He wanted to use David to show His
power. He wanted to show everyone that
weak, ordinary people can be used for extraordinary things… to illustrate how
He can turn a weakness into strength. David faced his giant and did something
that seemed utterly impossible to those around him. He turned his eyes to God and said “God. I cannot do this on my own, but I can do it
with your help. With your power I can do
this. I can defeat this giant. Because even though he is a giant to me, he
is weak and vulnerable to you.”
God says “I got this.
And with my power, you can do this.
You can defeat your addiction.
You can conquer your affliction, but you need my help. You CAN NOT do this on your own.” And, oh Lord God Almighty have I tried.
So. I ask you
again. What is your Goliath? What is the “it” that is standing in the way
of you living the life that God has called you to live? Some of you may be able
to answer this question quickly. For
others of you, it may take longer. I
challenge you to dig into that deep space in your soul. That place you don’t want to go. That place that hurts and that you don’t want
anyone to know about. Give it to Jesus
and thank him for it. Thank Him for not
making you perfect. Then, take your sling shot and your rock and be like David.
