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by Paul Curnow –
While reading in I Samuel, I found something that became one of my New Year’s resolutions. I am not much of a resolution person, but this year seems ripe for serious consideration of making changes in my life.
In I Samuel 17, Goliath daily challenged the Israelites to fight. The Israelites fell back cowering in fear. Along came this shepherd boy, (the soon anointed King of Israel) David, who summed up the situation in one question: “Who is this heathen, anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the Living God?”
Who or what defies us to do what God has called us to do? Through the saving grace of Jesus Christ and the anointing of God’s Holy Spirit, we have been chosen by God to do certain things. We are an integral part of the ministry of The Salvation Army. Yet, as we look around at our Army, we must ask: Are we an Army that is advancing or an Army that is cowering? Do we cringe at the thought of evangelizing our neighborhood? Do we shy away from presenting the Gospel at work or at home? Is our corps vibrant in growth, both spiritually and with new people? Is God asking us to do something unique this year?
I must say I am not where I need to be—Goliath stands there defying me to do something, do anything, that is worthy of being in the Army of the Living God. Then I must ask, why? Much of my cowering is due to a lack of training and mentoring. Sometimes I feel very qualified to do certain ministry and in other areas I am very under-trained. I simply do not know what to do. So I do nothing, retreating from the field of battle.
Is there a place to go for training? Is there someone who would mentor me, who would walk alongside me to help me learn how to do ministry and accomplish our mission? I know I want to do it, and with training am quite sure God would use me and honor me with even more ministry opportunities. Wouldn’t he do the same for you?
My New Year’s resolution: To be part of the Army of God, not an observer in the audience; to participate in the ministry opportunities God gives me; to seek training so that I can more wholly represent God to those needing his grace and mercy.
I will confront one of my Goliaths and ask: “Who is he to stand in my way of being successful in ministry?”
Who or what is your Goliath?