Do you remember the story of David and Goliath? Not the claymation series from the 60s and 70s - but the biblical one from the book of Samuel? Although, if I am being honest, that claymation series was the best part of being sick on a Sunday morning and getting to stay home -- well... that and Gumby. But I digress...

The other day I was led through a reflection on the story of when David, a small shepherd boy, goes up against the mighty and mammoth warrior, Goliath. No one thought David could do it, not the leader of the army, not any of the other soldiers on the field, certainly not Goliath.

But David did: He bragged to his commander that he had killed the enemies of his flocks (lions and bears), he could dispatch this massive warrior. Then he said, "The Lord, who saved me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, will save me from the hand of this Philistine.” 

In the reflection we were asked to think about what made David think he could do this: was he naïve? was he brash? was he trusting in God?

Now, I am betting there is some sort of Goliath in your life - just like mine. It is most likely not a bully at work or school (though it may be!). But maybe there is an issue in your school life that is just constantly in your way, like that math requirement that you cannot seem to get around. Or maybe in your personal life there is that relationship that is always so hard. Or maybe in your professional life there is an industry wide issue that seems to be dominating all the literature and the question for which no one has an answer.

And as I was reflecting I thought: I think that sometimes hubris is necessary when going up against a goliath. That being brash - even over-confident - is needed. David had nothing but 5 little stones - even the armor that his commander gave him didn't fit so he went into battle without it. Goliath had armor and a shield bearer and forged weapons. Wouldn't David need to be a bit brash to pull off that confrontation?

But in the realm of faith, we know that the source of that hubris, the foundation of our brashness, is that we know all of our life begins and ends in Christ. As disciples of Christ, we have a spirit of bold trust. Even brashness - hubris - for the sake of our witness to Christ.

Peace this week,

Bishop Barbins