"Embrace Your Shepherd Season"

The story of David and Goliath is often portrayed to us as if David was a seemingly naive kid with the equivalent of a toy sling shot who was supernaturally used by God. However, these slings weren't mere toys. These were serious weapons.

In fact, Hannibal the Great, the Carthaginian General known for nearly bringing Rome to its knees in the Second Punic War employed 2000 slingers and his army. One of Rome’s leading generals was severely wounded by a slinger in the battle of Cannae, which contributed to his death. So David killed Goliath with a ranged weapon used professionally by militaries across the Bronze and Iron ages and, even into classical antiquity.

If that is the case, then what's the point of the story? David killed Goliath with a common weapon of the time. Big deal, right? So what's the take away then? Perhaps the take away from the story of David and Goliath isn't simply that God will miraculously intercede and slay your giants for you, but rather, (And this is so important!) God has ordained the mundane in your life to properly equip you for current and future tasks that will require faithful collaboration with Him.

David tells Goliath, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied" 1 Samuel 17:45

Think about it. David spent many years as a shepherd. This was basically like the minimum wage job that nobody wanted. He became proficient with the sling out of necessity. With this, he used it to fend off predators that would want to make lunch of his lambs.

What had been mundane, everyday work for David was actually God's divine plan…Equipping this young man with a skill that would one day be paired with his faith and bravery, and with God's guidance.

Now, most of us aren't going to save our entire nations or fight literal giants. However, for each of us, there are future tasks that God will have made us capable of facing through our own shepherding seasons. These seasons may often feel like misadventures or like life going off track, but if you're walking with God, they are not on accident. There's always a purpose.

My friend, if you're going into 2026 and your life isn't quite where you want it to be, think about this. Maybe this is your shepherding season. David honed his skill with the sling in his determination to be a good shepherd, not to slay giants. So let this be a reminder to consistently walk with God. At any time, He may call upon any of us to make use of our experiences, our talents, even our trials. In 2026, embrace your shepherd season!

Happy New Year & Many Blessings!

THE VIEWS OF SUBMITTED EDITORIALS MAY NOT BE THE EXPRESS VIEWS OF THE ALABAMA GAZETTE.