When I was a conference last weekend I heard the story of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17). David was offered King Saul’s armour to wear when he fought Goliath but when he tried it on he realised that he was not familiar with it and it would not help him do what he wanted to do. David took off the armour and went and collected 5 smooth stones from the stream and put these in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag. He then used his sling to throw a stone at Goliath which brought him down and then David was able to kill him. David’s experience of being a shepherd protecting his sheep from lions and bears helped him defeat Goliath. Along with his faith in God. 1 Samuel 17:37 says “The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”

I was given the opportunity to speak about a ministry that I am involved in and passionate about. I began to feel nervous about this. But then I thought about the story of David and Goliath and this encouraged me to be myself using what was in my hand. I did not have to wear someone elses armour and be somebody I was not. When I did speak I was able to use my past experience of public speaking to make the vision plain so that others could run with it if they chose to.

Last night I was at a meeting when someone spoke about open faces. How it is important that we are able to live a life of love wherever we go and whatever we do. That people can see our care and compassion for them in our faces. As we reflected together on this we realised that we needed to spend time with God reading the bible, being honest and real with him in prayer and giving him praise. In the bible it speaks of Christians who have forsaken their first love (Revelation 2:4-7). They had done many good deeds but God was calling them back into the place of intimate relationship with him. As we receive the love he has for us we can then overflow with the hope we have in him.

In Colossians 3:13 it says that when we are chosen by God to live a life of love we should dress in the wardrobe God has picked out for us “compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic all-purpose garment. Never be without it. (the Message) People can look amazing in the latest fashion but when they speak and act this beauty can be short lived. On the other hand you can have people that may dress very ordinary and yet their actions and words make them beautiful. The bible says that man looks at the outward appearance but God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).

What are you wearing? The bible speaks of being clothed in righteousness. It maybe that you think good deeds are enough. Christians believe that all fall short and that we need the mercy and forgiveness of God. We believe that Jesus died on the cross to forgive us for all the things we have done wrong and make us clean. Jesus rose gain so that we can have a relationship with him here on earth and for all eternity.