Most of us are very familiar with the epic, biblical, tale of David and Goliath. The bestselling author, Malcolm Gladwell, in his most recently released book, David and Goliath, provides a new perspective on this well-known encounter which was first recorded in the Old Testament. Gladwell maintains that we’ve got it all wrong. It was David, not Goliath, who had the upper hand from the onset in this power struggle. The author insists the mighty Goliath, weighed down by his heavy protective gear was ill prepared to meet the less encumbered David.
Malcolm Gladwell uses this erroneous held belief about Goliath’s strength and David’s weakness, as a spring board to point out other examples of the unrecognized strengths and capabilities possessed by those considered unlikely winners. Gladwell illustrates other circumstances where apparent weakness proves to be an unsuspected strength.
Perhaps the essence of this tale and book might provide wisdom on our Lenten journey to Easter. Might there be instances in our own lives where personal limitation opens us to be supported by our higher power.
“At first I didn’t think of it as a gift,
and begged God to remove it.
Three times I did that, and then he told me,
My grace is enough; it’s all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.“
2 Cor.12:7 (MSG translation)
Listen to Malcolm Gladwell on Ted Talks.
Nancy Wales, CSJ