1 Samuel 30:10
“But David pursued, he and four hundred men; for two hundred stayed behind, who were so weary that they could not cross the Brook Besor.”

God is the Maker of all things and everyone. He imparts unique skills and capacities to every person He creates. No two people are the same, and for this reason, we must accept our unique differences and giftedness. It’s part of the beauty of God’s tapestry of creation.

Our strengths are different. Some people can pursue for longer periods, while others get weary after a short while. The same God made both and cherishes both. He is the One who gave both groups the desire to pursue and knows how far each person can go.

Those who can go farther must not look down on those who cannot. Those who get weary easily on the journey must accept their present limitations while they look for ways to increase their capacity for the future.

Let’s not compare or compete but be gracious with each other. Recognize everyone’s effort and commend them for what they are able to do, even if it falls short of your expectations. Once there is effort, it deserves commendation.

At a more personal level, don’t judge yourself for your inability to go as far as others. You may not be as gifted as they are. You may not have grown to that stage. It may not be your season to go that far. The fact that you are pursuing proves that your heart is in the right place.

David had six hundred men. Two hundred got tired on the journey as they went in search of the Amalekites. They started the pursuit with everyone else, but couldn’t continue after a point. Four hundred men continued the chase while the two hundred needed to rest.

David did not judge or condemn the two hundred. After they overcame the Amalekites, some worthless men among the four hundred felt that the two hundred men should not share in the benefits of the war campaign because they didn’t fight with them, but David rejected this.

Don’t look down on yourself because you tire easily. Don’t look down on anyone on your team because they tired on the journey. Don’t look down on smallness. God knows where each person is and appreciates effort. We should too!

@ChineduOranye
RestlessPilgrim.org