I won a fist fight with a Giant.

“David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” 1 Samuel

Have you ever had the experience of being sent from being a gentle sheep farmer, with your only worry being when’s your next feed, to being sent out to battle to face the giant every other warrior was too afraid to face? Yeah Nah same. 

This is what David was legitimately presented with! Long story short – Goliath, for 40 days had been calling upon the Israelite’s demanding a 1 on 1 battle – but nobody would even consider facing him.

Saul, the King, was like David you’re legit a sheepherder this giant has a been a warrior all his life, your odds are not all G. (pretty sure that’s a direct quote).

But David didn’t budge. He refused to run away. Instead, he got ready for battle, proclaiming that his time with the sheep fighting off predators had prepared him for this. 

45 “David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head.” Samuel 1

Big claim – but he was confident that God had his back. And as it goes, God’s promise was trustworthy and true. David slew the giant not with a John Cena body slam or sick knife trick, but with a simple stone from his sling. Temple hit, it’ll get ya every time.

Here’s what I love about this story – and why it’s relevant to you and me.

• David didn’t make excuses. He didn’t talk himself out of killing the giant, and he didn’t wait on someone confirming he was the best warrior or strongest, he did something because he committed to it and didn’t let fear hinder his courage.

• He went as he was. God doesn’t call the equipped, he equips the called. He didn’t wait on 10 years of training, he went just as he was.

• He had the right perspective – everyone else saw Goliath and said he’s too big to hit, David saw him and said he’s too big to miss.

We’re all called, at different times, to do courageous things. 

Like this conference, sometimes, that courageous thing like killing a giant is attending when you know your other school friends won’t understand why.

Sometimes the giant in our life can just be the simple resistance within ourselves begging us to stay in a comfortable mindset or situation if David had done the same, he never would have eventually become King. And if we choose to keep that mindset ourselves, we’ll never reap the fruit and experiences this September Conference that will grow within us.

So, I challenge you, just like David, to

• Not make excuses – don’t talk yourself out of experiencing Conference and receiving the gift it is.

• Come as you are – Don’t wait until you feel ready for the Conference, holy enough, smart enough, whatever it is that’s the nagging thought in your mind. Come just are you are. Yes, you currently reading this.

• Have the right perspective – emotions are great as servants, but terrible masters. I would challenge you not to let fear, passiveness, or any other emotion influence the way you see conference. He is making us New again, come in with this perspective, that you are going to thrive.

Just as David didn’t have to question if Goliath was his next move, similarly, you don’t have to question if you’re meant to be at Conference or not. You are. Because as God’s promise for David was true, so is this year’s Conference scripture in which he promises to you, behold I am making you New Again.