Humble Beginnings

As promised yesterday, I wanted to share the last bit of Facing Your Giants by Max Lucado. This is actually found in the Afterword, but it is so powerful. It starts out talking about humble beginnings.

His story began in a pasture.

Not known to the world but known to God, who, for his reasons, chose Bethlehem as the incubator of this chosen child.

Chosen, indeed. Chosen by God. Anointed from on high, set apart by heaven. The prophet declared the call. The family heard it. The lad of sheet would be a shepherd of souls. Bethlehem's boy would be Israel's king.

But not before he became the target of hell.

The road out of Bethlehem was steep and dangerous. It led him through a lizard-laced desert, an angry Jerusalem, conflict, and peril. Leaders resolved to kill him. His people sought to stone him. His own family chose to mock him.

Some people lifted him up as king; others cast him down. Jerusalem gates saw him enter as a sovereign and leave like a fugitive. He eventually died a lonely death in the Hebrew capital.

But he is far from dead.

His words still speak. His legacy still lives. Love or hate him, society keeps turning to him, reading his thoughts, pondering his deeds, imagining his face.

You know who I'm describing.

You do, don't you? The pasture. The anointing. The childhood call. The lifelong enemies. Wilderness. Jerusalem. Judea. the lonely death. The endless legacy. Who is this boy from Bethlehem?

David, of course.
Or Jesus, perhaps.
Or . . .both?

List a dozen facts, and in each describe twin traits of David and Jesus. Amazing. Even more so is the fact that we can do the same with your life. Read these truths and tell me, who am I describing?
Jesus. . . or you?

Born to a mother.
Acquainted with physical pain.
Enjoys a good party.
Rejected by friends.
Unfairly accused.
Loves stories.
Reluctantly pays taxes.
Sings.
Turned off by greedy religion.
Feels sorry for the lonely.
Unappreciated by siblings.
Stands up for the underdog.
Kept awake at night by concerns.
Known to doze off in the midst of trips.
Accused of being too rowdy.
Afraid of death.

You?
Jesus?
Both?
Seems you, like David, h ave much in common with Jesus.
Big deal? I think so. Jesus understands you.

That's the end of this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. So much, in fact, that I might pick up Charles Swindol's book on David, or I've been told Beth Moore also has one on David. If you have any suggestions on books that study David's life, I'm interested.

Now I'm faced with the task of choosing another book. Erwin McManus is coming out with one in July. Can I finish one before that one comes out? Who knows! Blessings to you on this beautiful Tuesday!