.:: Teen Life ::.

Modern Day Goliath

by Andrew Correli

When I was in Junior High, I learned a lot of things. It was a time when we were all going through many changes -- both physically and mentally -- and nothing ever seemed easy. One of the most important things I learned was about who I truly am. And it was a lesson I learned from a guy named Goliath.

Fee Fie Fo Fum...

Okay... so his name wasn't Goliath. But compared to the rest of us, he was a giant -- so that's what I'll call him. When the rest of us boys were just starting to experience the trials of puberty, Goliath already had a deep voice, full beard, and chest hair. He didn't seem to be the sharpest knife in the drawer, so he may have been in his early twenties for all we knew. Whatever the case, Goliath was a giant.

Goliath wasn't a friendly giant, either. I think he spent his time dreaming up new ways to torment me. We didn't have any classes together, so I'm not sure how I ended up getting his undivided attention, but he certainly had me in his sights -- especially at recess.

The Bigger They Are...

One day, I finally had enough. It was bad enough being hassled day-in and day-out by this monstrous Philistine, but he had started to harass other people simply because they were friends with me. If someone believed I was a good person and decided to hang-out with me, Goliath made it his job to persecute that person as well.

It happened after a particularly nasty episode at recess, which basically entailed Goliath knocking down a half-dozen of my friends who were all a fraction of his size. We were on our way to our next class when I passed the giant in the hall, where he was yuckin' it up with some other Philistines.

I walked up to Goliath and in the most courageous voice I could must said, "Y-y-y-you better l-l-l-leave my friends a-l-l-lone!"

"Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha," he replied. "And what are you going to do about it, tough guy?"

Preparing for the worst, I sat down my stack of books, then stood up and squared my shoulders to the giant. He simply laughed again and, with one vicious kick, sent my books skidding down the hallway.

...The Harder They... Hit

This last act of aggression was just too much. I hauled off and hit Goliath with everything I had. I didn't have a sling, but I figured my fists would do the trick.

I figured wrong.

Goliath shrugged-off the blow as if it were nothing. But he responded with ham-sized fists of his own, aiming roundhouse punches at my head. Ducking and weaving, I managed to avoid all but a glancing blow until a teacher happened upon the scene.

"Stop it you two!" she shouted. Relieved, I stopped ducking and stood to face her. That's when a sledgehammer smashed into the side of my head. Or that's what it felt like, anyway. You see, Goliath, not having much respect for authority, had kept right on swinging.

I stared up at the ceiling, wondering if my head was still attached to my body, and questioning my sanity for starting this in the first place. Later, some of my friends asked me the same questions.

All except one. He was a little guy -- probably the smallest guy in our class. He told me, "That wasn't very smart -- he coulda killed you." Then, after a pause, he continued. "Thanks. No one's ever stood up for me before. That was pretty cool."

Battling Injustice

No, it wasn't a very smart thing to do -- and maybe I had gotten tired of turning the other cheek. But the last straw had been when the giant, Goliath, had started to persecute others for what they believed. They believed I was a good person to be friends with, and he targeted them for that belief.

I'm not saying that violence is the answer, but standing up to injustice is definitely the right thing to do. Often, the people who are being treated unjustly do not have the means -- or the strength -- to stand up for themselves. I think Jesus wants us to stand up for them. And if we do it properly, I think he'll take care of us in the process.

So how does the story of Goliath end? Happily, I'm glad to say. The giant moved on to other things. Apparently bullies don't like trouble any more than the rest of us.

Life Applications:

Have you ever been the victim of bullying? What did you do?
Do you ever find yourself picking-on or persecuting people because of what they look like or who they are friends with? Why or why not?
What do you think Jesus would say about standing up against injustices?

Copyright 2002-2008 by Brandon Jubar
All rights reserved.