"You've got to think about big things
while you are doing small things,
so that all the small things
go in the right direction."
Elvin Tofler
while you are doing small things,
so that all the small things
go in the right direction."
Elvin Tofler
This morning I was at the mall waiting for someone (my wife who for now shall not be named) and saw a large thick book where the author had interviewed many famous successful people asking them to explain, how they did it. What were the secrets to their success? Did they eat something special for breakfast? Did they work at night? What makes them tick? Did they write their goal for life 10 times a day? What's the real secret that gave them their success?
Everyone loves a secret, the juicier the better, and we want some inside information on these successful people...what do I have to do to make millions, to become famous?
David the Shepherd boy rose from being a despised nobody, to a hero in a moment of time. It was his accuracy with his sling that "shot" (Pun on purpose!) him out of obscurity into prominence when he killed that monster giant Goliath! We probably all know this story, as its possibly as well known as even the Biblical Christmas story. I'm sure most everyone reading this has heard the saying, "It's a David and Goliath match-up!" This phrase is used in almost any competitive context like friendly board games, business deals, any sports from amateur to professional, etc. It's part of our culture.
Listen to what David said as he approached Goliath, "The Lord will deliver you into my hand...that all the earth will know there is a God in Israel." 1 Samuel 17:46
Now there's a prophecy! Did David realize what he was saying?
And, he said it while facing the giant down on the river bed. Calm cool and collected, his knees not even shaking! Speaking prophetic words yet! Talk about confidence.
But, how true that prophetic word has become. Not only did this event reverberate through the camp of Israel and the Philistines, it became known by nations surrounding Israel and the rest of the then known world. And it's still being told today, ie. Malcolm Gladwells recent book "David and Goliath."
So what was his secret? How was it that, out of all the army of Israel, only David, a shepherd boy would dare to take this humanly speaking impossible task on?
There are several secret reasons, but let us begin with this one. Remember, David told King Saul that "The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." 1 Sam. 17:37 (NKJV)
What David's saying is that he's had several past experiences where he had learned he could trust his God! He, that is God, had been faithful in smaller things where he gained a track record of success. When these predators came to claim a lamb, he took it serious. I mean, he could have let the lion have one of the herd and move away to safety. He could have said to himself, "it's only one or two sheep. Lions and bears are dangerous, why risk my neck for a lamb or two?"
No way, these were his father's sheep and no one was going to steal even one on his watch! He took his responsibilities seriously. He would do everything he could to care for his sheep, and also protect his sheep from predators. It was in his job description. So without question, that is what he did, and successfully too. He was being responsible in all things regardless how insignificant. If he failed in even one of these important things his sheep were at risk.
So often we want to, or feel we should be doing BIG THINGS for God! I hear believers being bitter about not getting the stage. No question we certainly also want him to do big things for us! But here's the thing, how are we doing with taking care of the "little" things? Cleaning up our clothes behind us? Taking out the garbage, feeding the plants. Do we keep our promises? Do we show up to work on time? Do we meditate on His word? (Ouch, you know what I mean!)
Are we building up our faith with the little challenges? Have we found God to be trustworthy and faithful in these things? Are we growing our faith and trusting in God through these little things? Are we learning to obey Him, doing everything he's asking us to do. Are we becoming filled to overflowing?
For us to do big things we have to grow the faith we have. If we do not, we will not gain greater faith to share! If we dismiss the faith we have, it will grow dormant and even shrink into darkness.
As we will move on in our study of David's secrets to success we will find he grew in faith and obedience, and was rewarded for it.
If it worked for David it can work for us.
Blessings My Friends,
CD
Everyone loves a secret, the juicier the better, and we want some inside information on these successful people...what do I have to do to make millions, to become famous?
David the Shepherd boy rose from being a despised nobody, to a hero in a moment of time. It was his accuracy with his sling that "shot" (Pun on purpose!) him out of obscurity into prominence when he killed that monster giant Goliath! We probably all know this story, as its possibly as well known as even the Biblical Christmas story. I'm sure most everyone reading this has heard the saying, "It's a David and Goliath match-up!" This phrase is used in almost any competitive context like friendly board games, business deals, any sports from amateur to professional, etc. It's part of our culture.
Listen to what David said as he approached Goliath, "The Lord will deliver you into my hand...that all the earth will know there is a God in Israel." 1 Samuel 17:46
Now there's a prophecy! Did David realize what he was saying?
And, he said it while facing the giant down on the river bed. Calm cool and collected, his knees not even shaking! Speaking prophetic words yet! Talk about confidence.
But, how true that prophetic word has become. Not only did this event reverberate through the camp of Israel and the Philistines, it became known by nations surrounding Israel and the rest of the then known world. And it's still being told today, ie. Malcolm Gladwells recent book "David and Goliath."
So what was his secret? How was it that, out of all the army of Israel, only David, a shepherd boy would dare to take this humanly speaking impossible task on?
There are several secret reasons, but let us begin with this one. Remember, David told King Saul that "The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." 1 Sam. 17:37 (NKJV)
What David's saying is that he's had several past experiences where he had learned he could trust his God! He, that is God, had been faithful in smaller things where he gained a track record of success. When these predators came to claim a lamb, he took it serious. I mean, he could have let the lion have one of the herd and move away to safety. He could have said to himself, "it's only one or two sheep. Lions and bears are dangerous, why risk my neck for a lamb or two?"
No way, these were his father's sheep and no one was going to steal even one on his watch! He took his responsibilities seriously. He would do everything he could to care for his sheep, and also protect his sheep from predators. It was in his job description. So without question, that is what he did, and successfully too. He was being responsible in all things regardless how insignificant. If he failed in even one of these important things his sheep were at risk.
So often we want to, or feel we should be doing BIG THINGS for God! I hear believers being bitter about not getting the stage. No question we certainly also want him to do big things for us! But here's the thing, how are we doing with taking care of the "little" things? Cleaning up our clothes behind us? Taking out the garbage, feeding the plants. Do we keep our promises? Do we show up to work on time? Do we meditate on His word? (Ouch, you know what I mean!)
Are we building up our faith with the little challenges? Have we found God to be trustworthy and faithful in these things? Are we growing our faith and trusting in God through these little things? Are we learning to obey Him, doing everything he's asking us to do. Are we becoming filled to overflowing?
For us to do big things we have to grow the faith we have. If we do not, we will not gain greater faith to share! If we dismiss the faith we have, it will grow dormant and even shrink into darkness.
As we will move on in our study of David's secrets to success we will find he grew in faith and obedience, and was rewarded for it.
If it worked for David it can work for us.
Blessings My Friends,
CD
"Be faithful in small things
because it is in them
that your strength lies."
Mother Teresa
because it is in them
that your strength lies."
Mother Teresa
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