Offense or Defense?

I'm still intrigued with the story of Jonathan and Saul in 1 Samuel 13 and 14 and how it relates to Daniel 11:32 (NASB) "the people who know their God will display strength and take action." It is often hard for people to muster the courage to act on their faith. We are obsessed with comfort and safety and do everything possible to prevent the uncomfortable and the risky. Jonathan and Saul are in contrast in this story. The faith of Jonathan is what we should strive for but Saul is the usual picture of how we live. Jonathan had an "offensive mindset" that caused him to initiate action while Saul was more "defensive" and ended up just reacting to the circumstances around him. Jonathan was always taking the battle to the enemy while Saul was always waiting under a tree for God to do something. Jonathan was tackling problems and overcoming obstacles while Saul was talking about problems and using obstacles as an excuse not to move. Most of us don't act because of a lack of resources while Jonathan faithfully used the one sword that he had. Most of us don't act because we think we are alone while Jonathan went with just his armor bearer and God. Most of us like to retreat to the comfort of our homes while Jonathan scaled the cliffs in search of victory. This is one leadership lesson that I believe God has taught me and is teaching me. As a leader, I often waited to long for the sure sign or the clear voice from God only to eventually react to the difficulties I was facing. Instead of initiating action, I allowed my actions to be dictated by circumstances. Fortunately, failure is never final and God is honing me for a new task. May I learn to initiate before I am forced to react. What about you? What does God want you to initiate? What command should you start obeying today? What obstacle is telling you that you can't or shouldn't? God is for you not against you! Go! Do! Act! Live! Conquer! Even dieing is glorious when you die trying the very thing God has called you to do.