Do you know what David from the Bible did just before he ran off to fight Goliath? He decided to be himself. When King Saul, the trembling leader of Israel’s army, looked down at the scrawny shepherd boy who volunteered to fight the Philistine giant, Saul offered David his royal armor. “Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. David fastened on his sword over the tunic” (1 Samuel 17:38,39).
But as well-made as Saul’s outfit was, it wasn’t David. “‘I cannot go in these,’ he said to Saul, ‘because I am not used to them.’ So he took them off” (1 Samuel 17:39). When David fought to save his flock from a local predator, he didn’t chase away lions and wolves with a sword and a shield. Rather, he used his sling and some stones. That was him.
The same principle is true for you. Going through life trying to be just like your father or sister or best friend or favorite celebrity isn’t you. Just like David, God has given you unique gifts and experiences that you use to fight your battles and honor Jesus. The apostle Paul taught that “we have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us” (Romans 12:6).
So use your gift. Few things make our gift-giving God happier than watching his children discover and use their gifts for his glory.
