Monday, Feb. 08, 2010

Pastor's Commentary: Facing challenges

As a young Christian in my teens I was always involved in ministry. In fact, the very first ministry I ever headed up was a rest home ministry.

A college student from Bethany Bible College was serving as an intern at our church and had asked me and a few others to go with him each week to the rest home. He would share the message and all we had to do was sing a few songs, shake some hands, hug some necks and visit with the folks living there. Well the time came for the intern to go back to college and my youth pastor approached me to see if I would be willing to take over the rest home ministry. I was only 14 years old at the time, didn't even drive a car (legally). I remember laughing at the idea and thinking to myself, "Who am I? What could I possibly offer?"

But through my willingness to serve others I learned an important truth about the Lord. He doesn't call the equipped, He equips the call. You all remember the story about David and Goliath, right? It's found in 1 Samuel 17. As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. Reaching into his shepherd's bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground. So David triumphed over the Philistine with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword (1 Samuel 17:48 - 50 NLT).

David, a teenager himself at the time, saw the need and ran to address it. He faced his challenge with all he had, a rag and a rock. You know, he didn't have much, but David knew how to use what he had. And when we use what the Lord has given us for His kingdom's purposes, an opportunity, a talent, a dream or vision, He'll bless it.

At times things may look impossible as I'm sure it did when the folks saw David out there on the battle field facing Goliath with nothing more than a rag and a rock. But with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26), and when it was all said and done, David showed everyone that he was someone who knew how to really get "ahead." I believe the Lord has brought us to this community to be a blessing (Numbers 23:20). And while we may not have much, we plan on using what we do have to advance His Kingdom, declare His Name and build up His body throughout our community.

Duke Marshall is pastor of Crossroads Church, www.xrdschurch.net