Photo by Buddpaul CC3.0
Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. 1 Samuel 17:38-39 NIV
This week has been the world cup soccer finals in Brazil. It seems that the whole world has been watching, which brings to mind a soccer story from a friend of mine…
My friend was about nine years old. He was on his soccer team at school, and wanted to help his team win. But he had a big problem. Literally. The soccer shorts that were assigned to him were way too big. He didn’t realize it until the first game when he put on his uniform. His shorts were so big that he had to bunch up the waist and hold them up with his hand.
Have you ever seen someone trying to play soccer while holding up their soccer shorts? He said it was hilarious.
The crowd held their breath as they watched, for they knew they were watching an accident about to happen. The accident, of course, did happen. The moment came when my friend got so into playing the game that he let go of his soccer shorts. His soccer shorts fell down and he was, shall we say, exposed. He tripped over his soccer shorts – now around his ankles – on the muddy soccer field, humiliated.
Hilarious for the crowd!
Humiliating for my nine year old friend!
In today’s Bible verses, David refused to fight in the armor that was way too big, and he took it off. He knew that he could not succeed in the armor that didn’t fit. He refused. Just like my friend refused to play another moment in the over-sized soccer shorts.
And you should too!
God has a destiny for you that is just the right size. It is not too big for you.
Don’t let other people try to tell you what you need to do to be successful in accomplishing the destiny that God has for you. Take the expectations off.
Yes, listen to wise counsel.
Yes, study how to be successful.
But, in the end, don’t let others force you into accepting a big problem by doing it their way. Choose your own armor.
It is your destiny. God will show you how to best fulfill His plans for your life!