The story of David and Goliath has become one of the best known of all biblical stories. The David and Goliath narrative is a cultural icon. Its influence can be seen in a variety of ways from paintings, music, poetry and sculptures. David slaying Goliath is a go-to for sports metaphors. Who can forget the 1980 Miracle on Ice? Or my all-time favorite movie, Hoosiers, the story of the tiny town of Hickory Indiana’s high school basketball team who won the1954 state championship over a heavily favored school from Indianapolis. There’s also the natural appeal of plot lines that feature resourceful youth or winning over evil forces against all odds. Think Harry Potter and Lord Voldermort. 

But even these examples witness to a deeper level of meaning that has made David and Goliath such a favorite in our faith story. Because it’s not just about rooting for the underdog to come out on top. In fact, if you look closer, David does not see himself as the underdog, but instead, a courageous and faithful servant of God.

Remember the story? David is the very surprising king-elect; Saul is the reluctant, floundering, lame-duck king and the people are being taunted by a giant Philistine. When David comes to the king volunteering to fight Goliath, all Saul sees is a mere shepherd boy, unarmed and unprotected, no match for the giant. Definitely an underdog, but David doesn’t feel that way. He makes his case. He explains how his role as shepherd has prepared him for the fight. 

In an attempt to interject his own authority or perhaps re-live his own past glory, Saul insists David wear his old armor. Of course, it doesn’t fit and the young shepherd could barely walk in it. David disposes of the armor, picks up his slingshot and a few stones and heads to the battlefield. The actual battle is described briefly. The mighty giant falls after being struck right between the eyes by David’s stone. 

So maybe the idea of David as the underdog is a bit of a misnomer. No, he isn’t a big and mighty warrior. Instead, he is presented as the archetype for everything that those devoted to God should be. He trusts in the greater power that is beyond him and then uses the tools and the skills that are his own to overcome the giant. David embodies the hopes of persons, especially the underappreciated and marginalized that they have the God given gifts to overcome obstacles against all odds. 

The Goliaths of our world are many. Racism, poverty, world hunger, pandemics. These all seem like giant obstacles too large to overcome. But we each have the God given gifts and abilities that can overcome these obstacles. We are able to break down barriers of injustice and oppression with our stones of love, peace and justice. We slay giants by being our genuine selves God has created us to be.

Professor and author Brene Brown says, “Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day. It’s about the choice to show up and be real. The choice to be honest. The choice to let our true selves be seen.”

David knows who he is — and he shows up, a ready and willing servant of God. God has created each one of us to be servants of good in the kingdom. We must be ready to show up, be real, use our God given gifts for the good of all. because God is with us, and like David, we can  overcome our giant obstacles.

— Reflections appears regularly on the religion page. The column features a variety of local writers, coordinated through the Monroe Area Clergy Group. Todd Hackman is senior pastor at St. John’s United Church of Christ in Monroe.