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Keep preparing yourself
'... I have seen a son of Jesse ... who is skilful ...' 1 Samuel 16:18
David didn't suddenly become an expert marksman with a slingshot when Goliath rocked up, or suddenly know how to play power chords on the harp when King Saul came calling for a private gig at the palace. He had already taken the long, slow, disciplined route of learning those skills. David had no idea what his future held; he simply got stuck in with discovering and developing his gifts.
If you think you have learnt all that you need to know you'll never grow. At the risk of sounding like a 'life coach', which zone do you live in? The 'challenge zone': 'I attempt to do what I haven't done before'? The 'comfort zone': 'I only do what I already know I can do'? Or the 'coasting zone': 'I don't even do what I've done before'? Take up that challenge and you might end up using those skills!
David's brothers knew his skills, yet none of them told King Saul about him. When Saul needed a musician: 'One of [Saul's] men spoke up, "I know someone. I've seen him myself: the son of Jesse of Bethlehem, an excellent musician. He's also courageous ... and God is with him."' (1 Samuel 16:18, TM). David didn't compete with his brothers or complain about his status as a shepherd. He just kept developing his relationship with God and sharpening his skills, and when the time was right, God promoted him. So keep preparing yourself.
written by Bob Gass
'... I have seen a son of Jesse ... who is skilful ...' 1 Samuel 16:18
David didn't suddenly become an expert marksman with a slingshot when Goliath rocked up, or suddenly know how to play power chords on the harp when King Saul came calling for a private gig at the palace. He had already taken the long, slow, disciplined route of learning those skills. David had no idea what his future held; he simply got stuck in with discovering and developing his gifts.
If you think you have learnt all that you need to know you'll never grow. At the risk of sounding like a 'life coach', which zone do you live in? The 'challenge zone': 'I attempt to do what I haven't done before'? The 'comfort zone': 'I only do what I already know I can do'? Or the 'coasting zone': 'I don't even do what I've done before'? Take up that challenge and you might end up using those skills!
David's brothers knew his skills, yet none of them told King Saul about him. When Saul needed a musician: 'One of [Saul's] men spoke up, "I know someone. I've seen him myself: the son of Jesse of Bethlehem, an excellent musician. He's also courageous ... and God is with him."' (1 Samuel 16:18, TM). David didn't compete with his brothers or complain about his status as a shepherd. He just kept developing his relationship with God and sharpening his skills, and when the time was right, God promoted him. So keep preparing yourself.
written by Bob Gass
