24 • The Beacon August 1 , 2024

he could beat any opponent in a dog fight in less than 40 seconds . Let ’ s test Boyd ’ s OODA loop theory and see if it might be observable . Might it be reflective in the past in the face of a biblical scenario ? How about David and Goliath ?

The threat of the brutal bully Goliath is quite tangible , fraught with danger . Doing nothing is not getting anywhere . Soon Goliath will invade , bringing his army with him . He stands on a hill daring the Israelite army to send anyone to come fight him . For 40 days no one answers . An anointed king and an army hide away , paralyzed in fear to move .

But there is this boy going back and forth through the fields . He ’ s been listening , observing the situation and giving it some thought as he travels between the family farm and the battlefield . What is happening ? Why is this so ? What is the impact of the situation on those involved ? What might be the impact on him ? What does the king have to say in action and words about this situation ? The boy is David , youngest son of Jesse from Bethlehem .

One day he realizes he just might have a part to play . He begins to orientate himself to the situation . What might that part be ? How am I to involve myself ? What do I bring to this situation ? What might my plan be ?

For a Christian , the thing about getting orientated is it ’ s a really good idea to lean into the subtle whispers and weapons of the Holy Spirit . Outwardly , the scenario will not always look very favorable . The giant is 9 feet tall . Other people ( who haven ’ t engaged the problem before them in a successful fashion ) will tell you how to do it . Thing is their armor doesn ’ t fit you . Nor will their advice fit you either . Their ways will be different than your ways . David weighs the advice , conversations and scenario before him . Then he decides .

Life ’ s dog fights require our participation , don ’ t they ? Do we wait for things to happen to us or do we decide to get ahead of the upcoming curves with a plan ? For those of Christian persuasion , how ’ s this plan measure up against God ’ s plan book ? As David was deciding , he reflected on previous battles won with wild creatures and who had helped him conquer them . Taking what he knew about the experiences from his history and the character of God , he knew the battle was the Lord ’ s . It was time to act .

I never tire of hearing the rest of this story . A kid who had no business winning against an experienced warrior drops him to his knees and removes his head . David ’ s OODA loop was a hit out of the park . He saved not only himself , but also an entire nation . But it wasn ’ t just David ’ s powers of observation , orientation , decision and action that gave him the victory . A long time prior to that day , David decided where his real battle plans , success and power were coming from in his life . True instruction , good teachings and wise counsel are all wonderful wisdoms given us by God showing us the path in which we should go . Will we walk in it ?

Though helpful , the mastering of the OODA loop , the Art of War or a West Point education is not how one ultimately gets organized or wise to win life ’ s battle . The battles belong to the Lord . Learn to observe and orientate to his will . Decide to act on his behalf and in his wisdom . If we will listen for his instruction , be teachable , heed his counsel , if we can master that , we will win every time , not necessarily by our brains and brawn , but because it is the Lord Almighty who watches over us .

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