I recently wrote a curriculum that I entitled ‘Lap Dogs.’  The title based upon the story of Gideon in the Bible.

Gideon was considered the weakest in his clan, yet God used him mightily.  If you don’t know this incredible story of unrestrained faith used by God for ridiculous victory, it is a great read.  Fundamentally, God had Gideon reduce his army from 32,000 to 300 to defeat an army of 135,000.  Seems reasonable!  Right?  Now do you really want the mind blower?  Gideon’s army defeated the Midianite army by making noise that threw them into turmoil and wait for it, the Midianite’s killed each other.  Around 120K dead to be more specific.

A VERY little known tidbit about me is that I love to watch YouTube videos of Britain’s Got Talent tryouts.  BTW, in case you did not know, the best singers in the World are from Wale’s.  I know these are heavily edited for impact by telling the backstory of the individual trying out in order to evoke emotional response.  Congratulations BGT.  You got me.

It is incredible to me to watch a contestant(s) on BGT who is incredibly shy step up and sing with a talent so great that they are unstoppable.  Unless, they never got started.  A young woman who cooked chickens at a supermarket.  A group (choir) of men who practice in a cow shed (barn).  A father so unsure of himself that his mother and young daughters walked the stage to give him courage.  A group of 5 young men who sing a Les Miserables song so beautifully, while working mundane jobs that masks their incredible talent.  The stories of these underdogs are amazing and as their God-given talent is revealed, you can see shoulders move from sagging to upright and their face shining in the moment of accolades that are truly life changing.  Marvelous.

Here’s my encouragement to you.  Allow what God has placed within you to emerge.  Be ridiculous in your faith.  Live an unrestrained life that God defines as a mustard seed.  A seed so small that it is almost invisible but grows into a giant life of impact.  Be willing to allow God and only God yo define you.  To use you.  To be his beloved vessel that he created for talents and impact that only you can deliver.

The recurring theme on BGT is of lives restricted either by influence that said “you can’t,” overcome by an internal desire that took the step of faith required for the World to receive the blessing of the individual’s talent.  You are that individual.  You are the need in someone’s life.  Only you can truly suppress you.  So what’s it going to be, lapping up life like the warrior God created you to be, or surrendering to a life limiting fear where the Enemy wants you to reside?  You see, our doing nothing because of fear is Satan’s greatest victory.

“The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many warriors with you. If I let all of you fight the Midianites, the Israelites will boast to me that they saved themselves by their own strength.  Therefore, tell the people, ‘Whoever is timid or afraid may leave this mountain and go home.’” So 22,000 of them went home, leaving only 10,000 who were willing to fight.  But the Lord told Gideon, “There are still too many! Bring them down to the spring, and I will test them to determine who will go with you and who will not.”  When Gideon took his warriors down to the water, the Lord told him, “Divide the men into two groups. In one group put all those who cup water in their hands and lap it up with their tongues like dogs. In the other group put all those who kneel down and drink with their mouths in the stream.  Only 300 of the men drank from their hands. All the others got down on their knees and drank with their mouths in the stream.  The Lord told Gideon, “With these 300 men I will rescue you and give you victory over the Midianites. Send all the others home.”  Judges 7:2-7 (NLT)

If God can defeat 135,000 using 300 with trumpets, jars and torches, imagine what He can and will do through you.  Gideon asked God for a sign…twice, and God answered.  Then Gideon acted.  Are you in the crippled with fear stage; the asking stage; or the step into the abyss through unrestrained faith stage.  Take a step.  God is already there waiting on you.

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”  Matthew 7:7-8 (NLT)