“But here’s the real reason my heart is so free,
I don’t fight for God. My God fights for me.”
I have the Dr. Seuss gene. I’m not sure which oddball aunt or uncle bequeathed it to me, but it’s definitely there. So when a church asked me to retell the Bible story about the ancient Hebrews living off a strange substance called manna (literally, “what is it?”), I came up with a version entitled Wharton Finds a Whatzit. That story, with Seussical pictures by my illustrator wife Trudy, has since been used as a teaching tool by hundreds of churches.
Then I decided to re-tell the story of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17). The essence was this: David, a zealous young musician in love with his creator, reversed the all-too-human formula of fighting for God. When a giant Philistine snarked, “I’m called Goliath and I would just love for someone who’s anxious to die to come up here and face me and fight me today!” David fearlessly offered to go.
“Shut up, shepherd boy!” they all said. “It’s too late!
There’s no one that big. We’re all doomed! Terminate!”
But David just grinned and said, “Gee, now, that’s odd,
‘cuz there’s someone way bigger than him, and that’s God.”
Confident this was God’s battle, David refused sword, spear and armor, marching up the hill with nothing but a few stones and a sling.
“I fight for my gods!” roared Goliath, “but Jews have only one God!” David answered, “That’s true. But here’s the real reason my heart is so free, I don’t fight for God. My God fights for me.”
You probably know the end of the story. But here’s how David sums it up:
And he said when they asked, “How’d you keep us all safe?” “I speak softly and carry a really big faith.”
Now that beats fighting for God any day!
To read or download Little Rock, Big God, click here!
This is great and so glad God fights for me!!
Also I have always loved Dr.Seuss. 🙂
LikeLiked by 4 people
Are you saying that God doesn’t need me to go to war, to kill other nations, to victimize non-believers…..God doesn’t need me to defend God? Oooooh, a path to peace.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Excellent! I am glad I read beyond the title to find out what you were up to. For the life of me, I couldn’t figure out what the capital of Arkansas had to do with God’s size.
LikeLiked by 4 people
;>) Yeah, I thought about that when I named the story, but went with it anyway.
LikeLike
Awesome idea!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Have you ever wonder, if you were born in some Muslim majority country you will be a Muslim and you would be preaching Islam and stories from Quran! If you would have born in Hindu family, you might be preaching Gita or Vedas! Is it not wise to search truth first before starting preaching or even following any religion? Most of us must be wrong because there can only be one true religion from True God.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I was raised in a completely secular home, with no religious orientation at all, and was an atheist until my 20s. I did indeed search for the truth–for years–before coming to believe as I do now. https://mitchteemley.com/2014/09/02/why-i-believe-part-one/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Mitch, for the memorable lesson, taught with creativity and humor. ‘Especially appreciate: “Carry a really big faith.” Yes, sir, that’s the bottom line!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Love this! So engaging!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Love this!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Where can I get a copy of this book?
LikeLiked by 3 people
It has only been published as a downloadable monologue, so far (for churches and other groups who want to perform it). But you can read it here: https://d3ik9vqgpprl4l.cloudfront.net/Little%20Rock%20Big%20God-PV.pdf
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. My church may want to use it. Is that possible?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely. It’s available from that same site (Skit Guys) with illustration slides included: https://skitguys.com/scripts/item/little-rock-big-god
LikeLiked by 1 person
Perfection! Sharing with my guys tonight.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aw, thank you, Chandra.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome! They loved your retelling of David and Goliath!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Delighted to hear that!
LikeLike
Your story reminds me of what my mentor, a priest says: Don’t say, Oh God, how big my problem is. Rather, say, problem, see how big my God is.
I must add that this same priest has fought off cancer that had metastased and is still fighting fit despite a one week prognosis by the docs… All through the power of prayer.. How great is our God!
LikeLiked by 3 people
How great indeed, Ermelinda! Your priest friend sounds like a wonderful mentor.
LikeLike
Clever and sure to hold kid’s attention.😊
LikeLiked by 3 people
Love this!
LikeLiked by 3 people
What an awesome team you and your wife make!! Love this!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Love this! Planning to share this with my bible study group.💛
LikeLiked by 3 people
Pingback: Whatever you may call it. – Nicolas Heartmann