Bee can’t jump but Carl can. A couple of years ago, Carl went to stay with some neighbors and he came back jumping. Even though Carl and Bee are very similar in stature, Carl has been practicing the art of raising his body and leaping onto the furniture.
What causes one person to be able to leap through life higher than others? Why are some content with staying on the ground while others are jumping to new heights? David gives us a glimpse of how God is ready and waiting to give anyone who asks, a push upward.
In my previous blog, David had just been anointed as king. But he didn’t take on this role until much later. Instead, he returned to the pastures and the sheep that he had surrounded himself with. No one considered much of him. But God did. He was grooming David by placing him out in the pasture where he was forced to kill both a bear and a lion.
It is hard to imagine how this young adolescent felt about what he could accomplish after he slayed these two animals. But I am sure his confidence in God had increased as he thought back on these events.
So when David witnessed the harassment of the Israelites by a Philistine giant, he knew what he had to do. Even when his brothers and King Saul tried to convince him that he was crazy, he pursued the mission of killing the giant.
Why would David take on Goliath when all the others pulled back in fear? In 1 Samuel 17:26 David asks, “For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”
It is clear from this question that David not only believed in God but knew Him intimately. This relationship was so real that David couldn’t stand by and allow this nine foot bully to intimidate the army of the living God. While all the other men stood on the ground focusing on serving a hollow king, David was already leaping into a spiritual battle.
There are many times that I should be focused on our living God but instead my eyes are stuck on mortals with no power. But when I turn my attention on to God, you may see me soaring through life.
Just this evening, Carl took another leap onto the couch and made himself comfortable. Poor Bee was left with her front paws up on the furniture wondering how Carl could get himself up so high. But don’t feel too sorry for her. I bought her a deluxe bed that her brother is not allowed on. My only concern is that he will mark his territory when I am not looking. Time will only tell.
