Taking off Saul's armor

In church this Sunday, the guest preacher spoke about the courage that David had to take on Goliath and the courage that Peter had to step out on the water. However, as I re-read 1 Samuel 17, I was struck by something new. When David announced that he was going to fight Goliath, the well meaning Saul dressed him up in the finest armor. He was trying to prepare him, as best he could, for battle. This armor, however, was not going to be helpful, it was going to be a hindrance. It didn't fit, it wasn't who he was. Had David gone into battle with that armor on, he likely would have died. David, with God on his side, had to go fight Goliath in the best way that he knew how, using the tools and the skills that God had given to him: a slingshot and some stones.

As I march down this long road to ordained ministry, I cannot help but feel a little like the David of yore. Sometimes I wonder if I am being asked to put on the old armor, even though it doesn't fit. Maybe I am just young and naive, but I don't think that someone can give you their old armor. You pick up your own weapons and defenses along your own journey. You find each piece as you need it, lest the weight be too much to bear.

Seminary has been good at helping my find my weapons and my defenses, however, I need to remember that it is God who wins the battles.

PS - This is post #200 for me!