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I Samuel 17; 2 Corinthians 6:1-13; Mark 4:35-41
By Herbert Brisbon III

Recently, I was on my way to take an exam and decided to call one of my closest and dearest friends. I just needed someone to pray for me.

We talked for a moment, and I shared with him that I was going to complete the oral phase of the examination and was scheduled to take it that evening. In the midst of our conversation, my dear friend said, 'Don?t be Herbert today.'

I thought to myself, all I know is to be me, even when that gets me into trouble.

But I kept thinking, what did it mean not to be Herbert?

I think that my friend saw me as an inexperienced young man. I listened to him, but I was boiling on the inside. I felt as if my dearest and closest friend, who has walked with me for the past 13 years, would have a greater sense of my strengths and growing edges.

As I listened, my friend continued to share some insightful and helpful tips. He told me: be mindful of your facial expression; slow down and think through your answers; smile; take the time to rephrase your response and wear a shirt, tie and coat.

I only had one issue or major concern. The insights being offered were things my friend would do, not me. It was almost as if he was trying to dress me with his armor for battle.

That may have worked well for him. But it reminded me of what Saul tried to do with David in 1 Samuel: 'Saul clothed David with his armor.' Saul assumed because of David?s youthfulness, experiences and size, that fighting Goliath was going to be an impossible task for David.

But David told Saul that God was with him and that he couldn?t even walk in the armor that didn?t fit him. He strode forth as himself and killed a giant.

As children of God, we walk in that which we know God has already graced us. This requires us to be ourselves and not negate that which God has demonstrated in our lives. Friends are good but God is better.

One thing I have learned, in my 30 years of living, is that 'I must be me.' I can not put on the armor of others. By being me I am able to do that which God is calling me to do more effectively.

There are times when we must know when to take off everyone else?s perceptions, dreams and aspirations, and go and do that which we know God is calling us to. David killed Goliath with five smooth stones, weapons that he felt were truly his. He utilized what he knew to be best for himself in the eyes of God.

Can I be me?

The Rev. Herbert Brisbon III is the pastor of Wildwood Parkway UMC in Baltimore.

A DEVOTIONAL
for the Discipleship Adventure

Celebrate: Use Psalm 9:1-2 as the pattern for a litany, either written out for a service or spoken aloud spontaneously, as this week's table grace with your family. Read verse 1, then offer witness to one of God's 'wonderful deeds' in your life. Use verse 2 as the response.

Connect and Share: Tell someone this week about a time that you felt like you had to put on someone else?s armor and how it felt. If you took discarded ill-fitting protection and faced the challenge anyway, what 'stones' did you carry with you?

Develop: With children (or for yourself), rewrite the story of David and Goliath to tell how they have faced a challenge. Talk about how an adult or older sibling may have helped them face the challenge and/or gbwc_superusered them in seeing how strength and courage support us in the face of danger (or ask questions that allow the children to express this idea). Ask: What advice do you think God would give you in trying to face this challenge?

Serve: In his book, 'Five Smooth Stones for Pastoral Work,' Eugene Peterson compared David?s 'stones' to tools we need for ministry. What 'stone in your pouch' (one of your personal ministry tools) will you use in serving another person? Will you use a stone of compassion, a stone of justice or advocacy, or some other kind of 'stone'?