Something else I wrote for my church newsletter:

“Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, ‘… Perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.’ ‘Do all that you have in mind’ his armor-bearer said. ‘Go ahead; I am with heart and soul'” 1 Samuel 14:6-7.

The other Friday night I went to the end of the year presentation at Year In The Son at Tabor College. A group of students were asked what they would do differently as a result of the course in terms of priorities and future direction. One student said prior to doing the course she would have studied and worked in an area that she was good at, now but she is going to work in the area of her God given passion.

Jonathan’s young armor-bearer encouraged Jonathan to do what God had put in his mind and what a great victory it was v. 23 tells, “So the Lord rescued Israel that day”. How valuable it is to have those around us encouraging us to do those things that God has put in our hearts and minds.

Jesus gave opportunities to uneducated fishermen, quick tempered brothers and a dodgy tax collector. Jesus also appointed Judas as treasurer even though it turned out that he was a thief. Perhaps Jesus was less worried about failure than we are. At Jesus’ arrest when Peter cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant, Jesus touched him and healed him (Luke 22:51). Jesus still has the power to fix and heal the mistakes we make.

This should give us great encouragement to take a risk and move in the direction of our passion, following Jonathan’s example, and encouraging others to do the same.