I’d like to place a thought here for those of you who have found yourself a Christian for quite some time. Maybe you’ve grown up in church, a wonderful church, but your mindset could be a bit skewed.
You could be thinking that taking off armor is dishonoring to others. Because someone has gifted something to you, then you must use it, right?
My sweet friend, that is not always the case. Sometimes we must take things off and that is not dishonoring when done in an honorable way. We can still walk in honor before others and before God while at the same time admitting, “This doesn’t fit.”
Honesty rooted in love is one of the most honoring things you can do before God and before those you love.
And honesty at its core shows a deep dependence on God.
Let me tell you this: when you take off everything that is not fitting you right … everything you wish you could have and do and function in this season, but can’t ... everything that you’ve been trying to convince yourself and others looks great—It’s as if you are home.
It doesn’t mean you aren’t talented. It doesn’t mean that God can’t use you. In fact, the exact opposite is true. When David took off the armor and went out with just his slingshot and stones, he was functioning in the beautiful talent God had gifted him and God got all the
glory.
It’s true, David didn’t look like every other warrior—but with God fighting for him, what he had was more than enough to defeat a giant.
We must stand like David and say: even though I’m anointed by God to be king one day...
even though someday I will wear the armor of a king...even though people might doubt the way I look and my choice in weapons... God can and will defeat this giant through what He’s given me here and now.
The story of my baby girl walking in my oversized stilettos still makes me smile, but the truth is many of us are walking around in spiritual high-heeled shoes that are five sizes too big! We are clickety-clacking, clunking around on the verge of stumbling. Injuring ourselves and others in the process.
We might think we look gorgeous in those shoes, but the heart of God is saying,
“Baby girl. Take those shoes off. You weren’t meant to wear those right now. That’s not who I’ve created you to be in this season. I have places I want you to go and things in my heart for you to do—so go put on your shoes, the ones that fit you in this season, and watch Me move.”
Maybe someday you will fit into those shoes, but right now have the courage to take off what you weren’t meant to carry or wear in this season.
It’s okay. No one is going to look down on you for taking it off. David would one day wear the armor of a king. God brought him into the kingship and he turned out to be one of the greatest kings in Israel’s history. But as a young man fighting Goliath, he wasn’t meant to
wear that armor.
"I pray that God gives us wisdom in each season to pick up what He has called us to carry. To lay down what isn’t right for us in this season. And the courageous wisdom to know the difference. The courage to take off simply means embracing the courage to carry God's way."
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Some of my favorites from 2022. This one was sent to me by a friend and helped Milan and I in our vision retreat for 2023. Check out this podcast with Glenn and Holly Packiam on rhythms they create for the new year as a couple.
Photo Credit: Godisable Jacob from pexels.com | Design: Milan Klusacek, milanklusacek.com
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