Usin’ What the Lord Done Put in Your Hands
Well, now, friend, come on out here off the front porch and git under this here big ol’ pecan tree that’s done seen more secrets than a church potluck table. Let’s stand for a spell where the breeze is rustlin’ the leaves like they’re whisperin’, “Amen.” Sometimes you git to needin’ a real, quiet place outdoors to be rememberin’ that God can do mighty big things with mighty small tools. Just ask young David. First Samuel 17:49-50 tells us he reached into that shepherd bag, pulled out a plain ol’ stone, slung it, and dropped that giant like a sack of feed. No sword. No armor. No fancy equipment. Just what God had already put in his hands.
Now, friend, that right there’ll sho’-nuff’ preach a real good sermon. David tried on Saul’s armor, but it hung on him like a lil’ ol’ possum tryin’ to wear a Sunday suit. He couldn’t walk in it. He couldn’t fight in it. He couldn’t even breathe in it. God was showin’ him, and us, too, that you don’t need to become somebody else to do what God called you to do. You don’t need anybody else’s armor, style, voice, or tools. You just need obedience to the Lord and whatever He’s already tucked right on into your life. It reminds me of Zechariah 4:6 where the Lord says it ain’t by might and it ain’t by power, but by His Spirit. In other words, God does the heavy liftin’. We just show up with our stone.
One of the devil’s sneakiest tricks is makin’ you git to thinkin’ you’re missin’ somethin’. That ol’ rascal whispers that you’re needin’ more money, more talent, more connections, more confidence, more somethin’. He’ll have you feelin’ emptier than a hollow log in winter. But that’s a doggone lie. God don’t never send you into a battle without equipin’ you first. You ain’t gotta’ be worryin’ ‘cause what you need the Lord is already gonna’ be puttin’ right on into your hands, your heart, or your circle. Sometimes it’s a skill. Sometimes it’s a friend. Sometimes it’s courage you done went an’ forgot you had. Sometimes it’s a simple stone you’ve somehow been overlookin’.
And let me be tellin’ you, friend, waitin’ ‘round for perfect conditions is ‘bout as useful as askin’ a lil’ ol’ woodpecker to stop tappin’ long enough to give you some good life advice. If you keep on waitin’ for everything to git to linin’ up just right, time will slip past you like an ol’ fox sneakin’ through the henhouse. You gotta’ start right where you are. Use what you have. Ask for help if you need it. Giants fall when ordinary folks put their trust in an extraordinary God.
Father, thank You for the gifts, tools, and people You’ve already placed in my life. Forgive me for thinkin’ I needed more before I could obey You. Give me courage to use what’s in my hands, faith to trust Your strength, and humility to ask for help when I need it. Lead me, guide me, and steady me as I face the giants before me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Now, friend, as you git to thinkin’ today ‘bout leavin’ out from under this shady pecan tree, remember this truth that God never asked you to be somebody else. He asked you to be faithful. He asked you to pick up your stones, swing your sling, and trust Him with the aim. Giants don’t fall ‘cause you’re real big. They fall ‘cause your God is real big. An’ when you use what He already gave you, even the lil’ ol’ forest critters would be noddin’ their heads like they’re knowin’ you’re done walkin’ in victory.
With joy,
Gwen
