Dare

I was thinking the other day. I tend to do this a lot. So, with all of my years of experience in this area, I thought it best to share a few of them with you all listening. I have a thought.

Have you looked around lately and felt that things were incomplete? I would never presume to complain that things around me aren't up to par, or that things are just so-so... but sometimes I get a vibe that things can be better. Do you know that feeling?

I was thinking the other day, and today for that matter... about how God uses the least likely people to serve him. The story of Jonathan and his Armor bearer came to mind. Think about these two men. What were their roles?

You have one who is the Kings son. And another who is basically his servant- with a sword. But what else is there? Jonathan could easily be quiet, wait for his fathers lead and ponder "what are we gunna do?" And justly so, his armor bearer would have stayed put... because he was just as scared as the rest of them.

But when I think about this situation the whole army faced, there are only two actions needed: Someone must lead and someone must follow.

Objectively, I would assume that the King, God's "anointed" would be the first to step up to lead, but instead... his son, a humble man, took the lead. But what good is a leader if no one follows? Jonathan would never ask for his armor bearer to risk his life, he volunteered it.

If you know this story already, I don't need to go into much more detail about these characters.... if you haven’t read this before, it’s in 1 Samuel 14.

My whole point is this… humility. But not where we usually sense it. When you’re able, don’t be afraid to take the lead. Don’t be afraid to speak out; don’t be afraid to go against the grain. There was a whole army still sitting around whenever Jonathan decided to ‘attack.’ Even the King hadn’t stepped up to the challenge. Lead: even when it seems crazy, even when it seems hopeless… don’t stop having hope.

But even more importantly… (Listen well to this one) Don’t be ashamed to follow. Don’t be afraid of trusting your leaders, don’t be a difficult follower, don’t forget that this job is so important as well. If Jonathan went ahead alone, he may not have been so lucky (sure, that really is in God’s hand.) But listen to what the armor bearer said to Jonathan, "Do all that you have in mind," his armor-bearer said. "Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul." These words had to be empowering for Jonathan: encouraging, reassuring. The role that the Armor bearer played was so vital. The follower is vital.

Whether you are Jonathan or the Armor Bearer… it doesn’t really matter does it. Just don’t be a bench warmer. Take a step of faith out of your comfort zone. Trust someone else. Encourage each other if you fail. Thank each other for following. I dare you.