Growth Purpose

Run to the Battle

Often times when our country experiences destruction we hear about those rare individuals who run into mayhem in order to save others. With seemingly little regard to their own personal interests, men and women set aside fear and safety. and risk harm and sometimes even death, in order to assist those who are caught in the proverbial cross-fire. Even when ruination seems imminent, there are people who will run into the fire, or the collapsing building, or the literal onslaught of bullets, with the hope that another’s life may be spared.

For many of us this seems unfathomable. We may be willing to consider it for those we love, but it is hard to imagine the fortitude that is required to set aside one’s own well-being in order to help unseen strangers. And yet, these men and women are rightly celebrated for what they do. Their commitment, their earnestness and their courage should be applauded.

And when we are caught in our own battles – when there are souls to be won and sin to be defeated-  they should serve as an example of how we should behave. 

This was David’s approach. When the giant needed to be slayed, he ran towards Goliath (I Sam 17:48). Not only was he willing to face what seemed like certain defeat, he was so confident in his Father’s ability to conquer any foe that he hastened to the fight. What must have seemed like foolish brazenness was anything but. David knew that his slingshot and stones didn’t stand a chance – except for the fact that God was on his side. And because God was on his side, his victory was already assured. David wasn’t arrogant; David had trust.

And perhaps what is most telling about all this is what is missing from the narrative. There were no excuses; no four-step plan. David was not going to wait for the most “ideal circumstances” (from a human’s perspective), nor was he going to delay with strategies and personal agendas. David didn’t build a coalition or offer alternative explanations. David knew what needed to be done, and he obeyed. With eagerness and conviction he did what God desired him to do.

As should we. 

Is there a sin that needs to be eradicated and you have been making excuses? Run towards its defeat.

Is there a person that needs to hear the Gospel and you have been obfuscating or delaying? Run to them with the Good News.

Is there a ministry that God has given you and you haven’t been stewarding it faithfully? Slaughter halfheartedness and hasten to faithful service.

Whatever it is that God is calling you to, don’t delay; don’t linger, don’t wait.

Run to the battle.

And as David knew – if God is calling you to it, you can trust that victory (by His terms) is already yours.

 

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Purpose

The Allure of Self-Trust

If you know the account of Gideon in the Bible you probably know that he was a man who set out a fleece in order to determine whether he could fully trust the word that he was receiving from the Lord. Although Gideon is rarely used as an example of someone who is a pillar of faith, it is not uncommon to point to reference his story when we aren’t sure what we should do. After all God provided Gideon with two clear signs that was his job to conquer Midian. Then God fulfilled His promise by giving Gideon victory after drastically reducing the number of armed men that went with him to fight (Judges 6:36-7). “Putting out a fleece” has become Christian vernacular for seeking a sign from God regarding the action someone should take.

What happens to Gideon after God uses him is often left out of the Sunday School stories. After returning from victory, Gideon used the spoils of war to create an artifact (called a ephod) which soon became an object of worship for the Israelites. The man who had been so afraid to go to battle set up a symbol of his conquest and as it says it Judges 8, “it became a snare to Gideon and his family.” The implication is that, along with the rest of the nation of Israel, Gideon and his family begin to trust in the symbol of victory rather than the One who provided it.

It is tempting to wonder how Gideon could possibly do this (after all – he clearly knew at one point that he was incapable of winning the fight), however it is a enticement that is not unique to him. We are all apt to rely on on our abilities, insights, and talents to do the work that God has set before us. We are all prone to forgetfulness about Who is accomplishing the task when we begin to receive accolades for the outcome. Like Gideon, we go from wallowing in our inadequacies to trumpeting our abilities. And like Gideon we may go from relying on God, to trusting in ourselves.

But we must fight this.

Because as the rest of Gideon’s story demonstrates, self-trust is a futile endeavor. Gideon was right – he was incapable of taking on the Midianites – but God was not. Gideon wasn’t the main actor in the story – he was the instrument that God used to accomplish His purposes. Trusting in the tool is short-sighted; it assumes the instrument has power and intentionality all on its own. But it is only when the tool is wielded by the hand of the Master that it can accomplish its purpose.

So while we may be tempted to trust in ourselves and our successes, we must remain steadfast in relying on the One who not only provides the success, but equips us with what we need to accomplish it.

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