Today’s scripture: 1 Samuel 18:1-4 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message) What might God be saying to me in this passage?
My thoughts (Deb Doty):
This passage is near and dear to the hearts of many gay folks — it’s the David and Jonathan “love at first sight” story. But what we read here is just Jonathan’s reaction to what he has seen David do.
What has Jonathan just seen that has affected him so much? He has seen a young man kill a giant with a slingshot and a stone, while all the mighty warriors were trembling in their armor. King Saul couldn’t do it, Prince Jonathan didn’t do it, the army wouldn’t do it. No. Instead, a young shepherd boy visiting his soldier brothers saw a need, believed God would help him meet that need, and he mustered the abilities God had given him and used them to defeat a towering enemy. And Jonathan fell in love with David — the shepherd with a heart for God. So begins one of the most celebrated love stories in the Bible.
I know a little about love at first sight. The first time I saw my spouse, Jenni, she was singing a song she had written. She sang about seeing Jesus in people we meet and serving Jesus by serving them. Her lyrics moved me, and as I got that glimpse into her heart, I was a goner. (OK, so it didn’t hurt that I liked what I saw, too! I’m sure David didn’t hurt Jonathan’s eyes, either!)
Unlike Jonathan, I didn’t react immediately. (I most certainly did not strip and give her my clothes the first time we spoke!) But from the first time I laid eyes on her, I knew she was special, and I wanted to spend time with her.
Like David, Jenni loves God passionately. And because of this love, she — like David — uses the abilities God has given her to do what she can as opportunities arise.
When I first saw Jenni, she wasn’t out to impress me with her singin’ and guitar pickin’. She was serving God. And the last thing on my mind was finding the woman I would spend my life with. I was simply blessed by God to get a glimpse into her heart.
When Jonathan saw David, David wasn’t looking for love — he was serving God. And I don’t think Jonathan went to the battlefield to find love. He was simply blessed to witness the actions of a heart on fire for God.
For so long when I was single, I thought that I had to be constantly searching for Ms. Right. It wasn’t until I gave up that obsessive search and just started following God where God led that I found a woman who was just doing what God set before her to do. Our paths crossed when we least expected it, while we were focused on doing what God had for us to do. In fact, Jenni’s passion for God was what made me fall in love with her.
I think David’s passion for God was what won Jonathan’s heart, too.
Thought for the day: Focus on doing what God puts before you to do. You never know who may witness your passion for God.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to start, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.