1 Samuel 17:45-50 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) But David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword and spear and javelin; but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This very day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head; and I will give the dead bodies of the Philistine army this very day to the birds of the air and to the wild animals of the earth, so that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the Lord does not save by sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s and he will give you into our hand.” When the Philistine drew nearer to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. David put his hand in his bag, took out a stone, slung it, and struck the Philistine on his forehead; the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell face down on the ground. So,David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, striking down the Philistine and killing him; there was no sword in David’s hand.
How many times have you heard “what does not kill us will make us stronger?” We have many defining moments in our lives! Be it a new job, making a large purchase, reevaluating who is in your “circle,” a new love… just to name a few. These are moments whenthe decisions we make have big consequences. These moments are called defining moments and they reveal the true character of who we are and whose we are! Challenges, opportunities, and experiences shape us. Our defining moments have the power to change not only our right now moment but our forever. As the kids would say “we acting brand new!” We will be “brand new” because we will think different, act different, response different, react different just be different! After a defining moment, you will not view things again in the same way! God teaches us about these moments through the stories in the Bible. Stories such as David and Goliath, Adam and Eve, and Esther to name a few. One of my favorite movies, from which I use as a teaching tool, is Dorothy’s journey in the Wizard of Oz or modern-day adaptation The Wiz! You know the story! She had a defining moment from being a child to becoming a leader! These moments can be specific and personal or catastrophic! They can bring joy, pain or suffering! We are currently living through the defining moments of a health and race pandemic! We will never be the same!
As you know this is #StuffValSaid, but what do you say? What are your defining moments? How did you control the narrative after the defining moment? How have you moved through your defining moments? What did you learn? How can lessons from your defining moments help others? Here are a few things to consider:
• Be aware about is going on around you and with you
• Never get so far out there you can’t get back
• Be careful in what direction you are going
• Make the best out of every situation and work with what you have
• Relationships! Relationships! Relationships!
• Know your power
• Let go and let God
• Pray! Pray! Pray!
Know you possess the power to move through your defining moments! There is strength in the struggle! God has and will give you the power you need when you need it! God has given you the armor! Philippians 4:13 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Love you!!!
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