Is There a Goliath in Your Life?
In the story of David and Goliath from the metaphysical point of view; we realize that today there are in fact many “goliaths”: in the global context, in our work places, places of study, and even in our own homes perhaps.
The story has three key players: Saul, king at the time; David, a shepherd, who had captured the king’s attention through the beautiful music he played on the harp; and Goliath the Philistine – a giant of a man sheathed in the finest armour, carried the best weaponry, and challenged the Israelites; and even Saul was not prepared to take up the challenge to oppose him.
Metaphysically, Saul signifies personal will – that which lies very close to sense consciousness, and found in us all.
Metaphysically, David represents divine love individualized in human consciousness.
Metaphysically, Goliath represents the erroneous belief that parades and tries to dominate our minds, creating fear.
David volunteered to fight the Philistine, choosing his own familiar weapon of a sling and some smooth stones.
David said to Goliath: 1 Sam. 17:45 – “You come to me with a sword and a spear and a shield. But I come to thee in the name of the Lord.” And we know that taking aim, and with one stone, David finished off Goliath.
Now, how does this story relate to each one of us? I asked at the beginning: ‘is there a Goliath in your life?’
Well, let us look around at the world, and without naming any names; just to observe, not judge; do we not recognize Goliaths in different forms? Recently, in our news we have been made mindful of the “Goliaths” who illtreat and abuse women and children. In many countries, we see “Goliaths” in government; in political positions. The recent drought (which seemingly is not yet over) has appeared like an unconquered “Goliath.” In our personal situations, we may be facing “Goliaths” in the form of health issues, financial issues, relationship or employment issues. And these may be “towering over us” like great big daunting challenges that seem to have no solution.
So often these things that we seem up against leave us feeling powerless. We don’t know what to do; where to turn. And the feeling of powerlessness, seems to diminish us completely. Yet being powerless has its advantage in that we are ready then to cede our human power to the true Power that resides within each and every individual.
These stories throughout the Bible hold within them valuable lessons that apply in life even today. When we are facing something challenging, whatever it is, our powerlessness arises due to our trying to oppose or fight back, or fix it, from our human aspect. And very often we are terrified at the seeming “giant” of a problem.
David simply stated that he came with no great weapon, but he came in the name of God. That is the whole crux of the matter; the central point of the story.
In many ways it might seem to be a story of victory, but in essence it is showing us how to live life at all times. The mastery of the spiritual over the material is so clearly illustrated in the story. There is no power in the world of effect, when we realize God as the only power.
We all at times have a seeming “Goliath” in our experience, but when we meet these experiences with the power of Divine Love, as did David, we will prove truth for ourselves.
In Closing……….
“Gratitude that fish are in the sea and birds in the air, gratitude that there are cattle on a thousand hills, that the trees are blooming and showing forth God’s grace in the luxuriance of their foliage, gratitude for all that we witness from waking in the morning until sleeping at night, gratitude for the fact that life continues in sleep as well as when awake, and that even while we are at rest the principle of life is at work for us: the recognition of God as the Source of all these blessings is to me the highest form of gratitude because there is nothing personal in it: it is simply a sense of gratitude that the infinity of God is omnipresent for all to share and that we all share it in proportion to our own receptivity.”
Joel Goldsmith – The Contemplative Life
Bountiful blessings,
Mallory