Then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd’s pouch. His sling was in his hand, and he approached the Philistine. (1 Sam17:40)
Everyone has his own troubles and trials. David, as a young man, had a bear, a lion, brothers giving him a hard time. And he had Goliath.
Goliath was an important opponent. He was a new and powerful enemy, but somehow, David had the confidence that he was ready to fight him. He represented a enemy kingdom - in which if David would defeat Goliath, there were legal or territorial implications to both kingdoms. He was the last opponent David had before his life started a whole new season.
David fought this jaw-dropping, unforgettable battle not with sword or javelin, but with the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel. He had full knowledge that the battle is the LORD’s and he will win. His choice of weapon: 5 smooth stones. The battled marked an entirely new season for David - from David the shepherd, to David the warrior, then soon after, to David the king.
I like David’s choice of weapon. They were light, smooth and far-reaching. If it reaches the target right, it can achieve great victory. I often think that I need to collect 5 smooth stones in every season in my life, and the stones come in a form of lessons that are far-reaching and transcending times and situations, smoothened by turbulent waters, and light - because it makes me feel light by having them in my heart.
My most recent season that ended brought me a few smooth stones - precious lessons that I’ve gathered for the past 3+ years in Jerusalem, in a place where there’s diversity of nations, peoples, cultures, assumptions, denominations, but rooted in the love of Christ Jesus. I’ll share with you 5 of smoothest ones.
- Over communicate - in an international organization, people have different assumptions and definitions of things. We also have different expressions, thought patterns and emotional disposition. Some are more creative, some are more methodical. We bring with us the uniqueness of our nation, background, experience and skills. However, while it makes the Body incredibly beautiful, it can also be a source of misunderstanding. Hence, there’s a need to over communicate - even if it means conversations will be a lot longer. It is uncomfortable at first, but you’ll get used to it.
- Dry dock - I took this concept from Sara Lanier’s book called Foreign to Familiar. In an international assignment, expats often have a hard time adjusting because their basic needs are not easily met - deep and safe friendships, love, affection, respect, emotional connection. Dry docking is the time for a boat or ship to come to rest on a dry platform for repair and maintenance. We, human beings, also need a time of rest in a stable place, where we know we are completely loved and accepted, a time to heal emotional wounds. Going home to your family is a good way to do this. Being part of a local body of believers will help, too. Being in the Body not only gives you a safe place to just be, it’s also a place to hear and learn. Hearing and knowing the truth often leads to healing. Because we only see in part, and we are limited by our flesh, being in the Body allows us to see things in a different way. While there is only One Way, there is always another angle.
- Number our days to gain a heart of wisdom - when you know you have limited time, it will be easier to sift through the negatives, and you can gain new strength to find the positives. Time is limited, make the most out of it, they say. In the process of numbering my days in order to gain a heart of wisdom, the most beautiful thing I saw is a person's heart that loves the Lord. He showed me an important lesson - do not to regard a person in the flesh, but in the design of the Lord for each person. In His eyes, everyone is a victorious prince or princess. We don't always live like one, but He sees the victorious Son in every person covered in His blood. I don't see others like that often, either. But I know He can show me again if I forget.
- While it is absolutely necessary and good to hear from the Lord, there is a possibility that it won't turn out exactly the way that we heard because flesh gets in the way - the need to be affirmed, to get what we want, to be seen righteous, etc. But it's ok. Even Paul took time to get there. Only until it was a matter of life and death and persecution that I read him say - I have faith that it will happen exactly as how the Lord told me it'll happen (see book of Acts, he said this before a shipwreck). The Lord allows us to get into this zone to keep us humble and to depend on Him. It's not good to live life apart from Him. There is no end in dying to self, in crucifying the flesh and living each day of being close to Him until we leave our mortal bodies. Listening to Him takes time, effort, mileage, experience and so much more. It takes a lot of death to self and expectations. The more painful, the better. Where there is more need for death and grace, there is more opportunity for resurrection.
- You don’t have to change anyone - people are not our project. We are not supposed to change them. There’s this wonderful quote that Rumi wrote (with a longer version written by an unknown monk): “Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.” More and more each day, I am convinced that healing the sick and raising the dead are easier for God to do. Transforming hearts is the biggest miracle that He has done, and is still doing until now. This doesn’t happen without our personal choice to be changed. And our job for others? To accept them for who they are. It’s your choice if you want to walk with them.
