Giants are Scary

By Pastor Christian on 3/9/10

Of all the things Brandon had to say about slaying “giants” this Sunday one seemingly obvious observation really struck me – “Giants are scary.” It is elemental to their “giantness.” They are scary and remain scary even when we are determined to fight them; even when God is on our side. That is precisely why they are obstacles; mountains to be moved; problems beyond our scope—>They are giants.

It was just one of those simple observations that brought both relief and conviction. Let me say it again as a confirmation, giants are scary – SO it is reasonable to be scared of them. At issue (embarrassingly) for me is that I am constantly afraid of giants. I don’t want to be. I wish I were brave. I wish my first reaction to giants was fearless resolve because of my great faith in God. I want to be the guy that runs into battle. I do not want to be afraid of giants. In a very real sense, I SHOULD not be. Because I have already watched God fell huge, freaky, six-toed giant after giant in my life. Seriously, I could point at a pile of giant skulls and prove to you how many times God has saved my life. Thinking back, I can not think of ONE time that God has let the giant overwhelm me.

Nevertheless, every time I face a new giant in my life all of my conviction falls away; all of my courage fails me. My trust in God withers to a pinprick and I am afraid. I know I should look at the pile of skulls and be heartened that my God never fails me, but I can’t. I am terrified. I am frozen, staring up into the cold, murderous eyes of my giant. To me – giants are scary.

But. . .

I have noticed this one minuscule attribute. . .I do not entirely quit. Even terrified, sure that I will fail and this giant will eat me for lunch, I still walk out onto the field of battle. I still pick up stones and load my sling. Blood pounding in my ears, I still approach the giant and I hurl my stone, and for 40-years God has still made that stone kill giants.

I admit that it may not be the picture of heroism. My story would make a lame movie and a sad poster. But I think the truth may lie in there somewhere. Somewhere between my great fear of giants and my tiny obedience to keep on moving. Could it be that inch by inch obedience through TERROR amounts to my “mustard seed” of faith? Could it be the truth for some of us when it comes to facing giants is tiny obedience in the right direction?

I hope so. Because I am not valiant. I am not sure. I am not confident. I am afraid of scary giants because they ARE scary. But, I don’t stop moving.

Does that speak to any of you? Can you relate to having just enough resolve to put one foot in front of another? My experience suggests that it is all you need to slay even the scariest giant.

So cheers to all the heroes out there and a sigh of relief for all who are with me. Giants are scary.

See you Sunday,

Christian

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