Five Smooth Stones

“Instead, he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the wadi and put them in the pouch, in his shepherd’s bag. Then, with his sling in his hand, he approached the Philistine.”
1 Samuel 17:40 CSB

Last Sunday we went to church with my sister and really enjoyed a message from a series about David. This particular message introduced Goliath, and highlighted David’s trust in and zeal for God while the rest of the nation cowered.

It got me thinking about the rest of the story. David rejecting Saul’s armor and weapons and then before charging up to the line where he would face the giant, he bent and chose five smooth stones. In a matter of minutes, one of those stones would put the giant on his back ready for David to come finish the job.

It’s a cool story. David trusting God, choosing the gear that fit God’s design for him and then executing that giant warrior in short order in the name of the Lord. This starts a string of victories and ultimately leads to David becoming king over Israel. Happy ending.

Except…it isn’t. David is far from perfect. My sister made the observation that it would be interesting to run an ADHD assessment on him. Jumps into whatever is in front of him, problems with impulse control, big emotions…there are signs. He wanted nothing more than to build a house for God and God wouldn’t let him. Why? Because his hands had been a part of too much violence.

I was thinking about that story the other day while on a walk by the river. I had stopped to sort through acorns on the ground in hopes of finding a small handful I could germinate and develop over the next decade into bonsai. I happened to pick five. And the five smooth “stones” in my hand were lined up next to the five smooth stones I was considering in David’s hands.

In David’s hands, we see five smooth stones ready to destroy. In my hand, five smooth stones ready to create. In both cases we have men who love the Lord and are trying to serve him in their season faithfully. I am in no way critiquing David’s victory over Goliath. Sometimes you need to choose the tool to break down.

But I can’t help but note that David’s heart was to build. But because he spent so much time with the tools of war, he was not equipped to use tools of creation.

I’ll admit, as I write this, I’m not sure what the point is. Maybe I’m feeling the importance of being intentional in how I go about the ministry God has put in front of me. Choosing my “tools” well. How can I wield grace, service, compassion, and love for others in the name of Christ? How can I avoid slipping into picking up the tools of fear, pride, or control along the way?

Or, maybe I just like overthinking acorns (mental note, “Overthinking Acorns” would be a great band name).

Either way, I’m going to enjoy watching these “stones” grow into something beautiful. And I’ll keep thinking about how I can do the same thing with the tools God’s given me for life and ministry.