If we
are ever going to move forward in any area of life, we must become convinced
that it is ok to learn as you go. In
fact, awkward beginnings often lead to great success. The story of “David and Goliath” (1 Samuel
17) is a great example of this principle.
When we
first meet David, no one expects anything of him. Instead, he is left at home to watch his
father’s sheep while his older brothers go to war against the Philistines
(verses 13-15). When David does get to
the front lines, it is not as a warrior but as a delivery boy taking supplies
to his brothers and reporting back about how they are doing (verses
12-17). Then, when his brothers see him,
they tell him to get lost and go back home (verses 26-29). Somehow, David finds his way to King Saul and
offers to fight Goliath. Saul promptly
says “No!” (Verse 32). Eventually, the
King agrees to let him try, but he insists that David wear his armour. The armour does not fit and only hinders
David, so he get rid of it (Verses 38-39).
Finally, when he walks out on the battlefield, Goliath laughs at him and
taunts him for being so small and weak (Verse 43). Only after all of that does David put the
rock in the sling and kill Goliath.
David’s
story is not about how to become a hero in one huge step. Rather, his story is full of starts, stops,
roadblocks and repeated discouragement before God finally rewards his courage
and tenacity.
The
only way to become good at something is to start by doing it badly. The only way to get to a successful ending is
to start with an awkward beginning. The
only way to know how something will turn out is to accept the challenge and try
it.
Never
let the obstacles, nor your lack of ability, rob you of the experience of doing
something new and important.
Not only is it ok to learn as you
go, it is the only way to learn anything!
You
make the road by walking.
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