I’m 40, have 3 kids and drive a minivan. If I ever was cool, those days are long over. My fifth grader, Maggie, ducked down in the car the other day so her friends wouldn’t see her with the old man. She told me she had to tie her shoe or something.
We had a big gathering for my birthday last spring – I refer to it as my halfway to death party. It’s the kind of experience that makes you take inventory of life. I can’t believe that it’s been over 20 years since I started college. Though the time has gone by quickly, I have been pleased with one thing more than any other. God has blessed me with the most incredible friendships.
I have found that these relationships provide encouragement beyond what I could have imagined. I have needed others to believe in me and help me get through the challenges of life. I find myself drawn to those who appreciate me for who I am and not merely for what I do (for them).
I believe that God has designed us in such a way, that we need one another. For the longest time, I have tried to do things on my own – without the help of others. What I’ve found is that this independent mindset leads nowhere. God designed me in such a way that I need Him, but I also need others in my life – to mature, encourage others and enjoy all that He has for us. Of all the mistakes I’ve made, I have somehow managed to make building deep relationships a high priority, and that has made all the difference.
By God’s grace, I hope to enjoy another 40 years. How well it goes, I imagine, will be determined in large part by who I do it with. It’s those relationships I look forward to the most.
Post by:
2009-11-15 20:47:07
I Like Jonathan.
Of the Bible that is. You know the son of Saul, first king of Israel; also best friend of that David guy who killed the really big person by hitting him in the noggin with a rock from the ole sling shot.
Jonathan was legit and if I could kick it with someone from the Old Testament, he would be near the top of the list. I think I like Jonathan so much because he kind of gets lost in the crowd when it comes to reading about David. I mean how big of a candle can you hold next to someone of whom it is said that he was a man after God’s own heart? Regardless, Jonathan was pretty much the man and as I have been reading through 1 Samuel this past week I am been reminded of that.
Fearless, dared to believe, loyal, humble….. the list goes on and on.
I picture arguably the best movie of all time, Braveheart, when I try and imagine the situation that the nation of Israel was in under their Philistine oppressors as told in 1 Samuel. If you read the end of chapter 13 you can see that they go in to battle with only two swords, one for Saul and one for Jonathan, and who knows what else they used as weapons. I get pumped just thinking about the underdog Israelites kicking but with sickles and axes, kind of like the Scots did against the far superior English army and cavalry.
It is in this context that Jonathan shows his faith and fearlessness when he sneaks of from camp with only his armor bearer to do something about the Philistine problem the nation was facing. “Come, let us go over to the garrison of the uncircumcised. It may be that the Lord will work for us, for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few.” Jonathan states, and a quick cliff climb and 20 dead Philistines later it is over. What a man! What a God!
I love to glean from the example of loyalty and devotion that Jonathan sets episodes later as in chapter 18 as it says, “the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” Blood brothers.
The story continues after David is anointed to be king after Saul. Now this is a biggie for me, because that means Jonathan gets coal in the Christmas stocking instead of presents under the tree if the crown passes to David rather than himself, who would be next in line to the throne of his father Saul. The response of Jonathan to this situation is breathtaking and far from normal I might say in how he stands between his father the king and David the Lord’s anointed when Saul is seeking to kill David. Instead of allowing jealously, envy, pride, selfishness, and the list goes on…, to get in the way he recognizes that the Lord has chosen David to be the next king of Israel and he risks his own life to warn and protect David from his father. What an example of exemplary devotion and loyalty, and even more so of reverence and fear of the living God.
Saul himself bursts out in anger at Jonathan, saying, “for as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, neither you or your kingdom will be established.” Jonathan’s response is one that is just and shows his recognition and fear of God, that it is the Lord who establishes kingdoms and anoints kings, and His favor that blesses not mans.
Yea Jonathan was legit. Check his story out yourself in 1 Samuel, maybe he will challenge you as much as he does me to take risks for a big God and to stand firm in character waiting on the direction of the Lord.
Post by:
2009-11-12 17:06:50
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