Gideon Part 4: Gideon’s Ephod

Gideon Part 4: Gideon’s Ephod

Nathan Westwick
Gideon, Fighting for What's Good

The end of Gideon’s heroic life is one of the sadder stories in the Bible.

You see, Gideon had led Israel in battle against their oppressors and had restored order and prosperity to the nation. They wanted to elect him as ruler over their country, but Gideon, knowing where his victories came from, declined:

He told Israel that God would be their leader, not him.

I love Gideon’s heart here. But then something shifted: Gideon asked them men to offer up their golden earrings as payment for Gideon’s conquest. So Gideon comes off with this large haul of gold, melts it down, and makes an ephod with it.

Who cares, you might ask?

Gideon Part 3: Your Army is Too Big

Gideon Part 3: Your Army is Too Big

Nathan Westwick
Gideon, Faith

Imagine Gideon’s path—from hiding in a winepress, to getting a call to lead his country in battle, to asking for God’s confirmation, and then finally mustering troops to bear arms and fight.

32,000 men said yes to Gideon’s leadership. 32,000 were prepared to fight against Midian, for the sake of their freedom and for the freedom of their families.

32,000 men who were willing to fight 120,000 Midianites—all because Gideon had faith that God would keep His promises and give Israel victory.

If I’m Gideon, I would be tempted to go back to the winepress and ask someone else to lead. After all, who wants to take those odds when you consider the troop count?

But Gideon stays, and God speaks:

“Your army is too big.”

Gideon Part 2: The Fleece

Gideon Part 2: The Fleece

Nathan Westwick
Gideon

Gideon’s fleece may be one of the more colloquially quoted stories that Christians use. You see, Gideon was called out by the angel of God as a mighty warrior—one who would lead Israel against the Midianites (the ones stealing all of their food). But like you or me, Gideon was afraid.

Afraid he might not have what it takes to lead a country in battle. He was a man of faith, but even the mighty warriors feel inadequate when God calls.

It’s what makes us human.

But the good news is that God knows this.

Gideon Part 1: Arise, Mighty Warrior!

Gideon Part 1: Arise, Mighty Warrior!

Nathan Westwick
Gideon, Overcoming Fears

Imagine living in an agricultural society, working hard to grow crops to feed your family, only to have those crops stolen again and again, with your family left to go hungry. Understandably, this would wear on a person, and you would likely rise up in anger, seeking to enact justice on those who are stealing from you.

But imagine that those stealing from you are much more powerful, much more forceful, and any time someone tries to speak up or fight for their rights, they get squashed so that the rest of the community will get the message and fall back in line.

This is the environment Gideon grew up in.

His solution? He hid.

Go Take a Hike...

Go Take a Hike...

Nathan Westwick
Being Present, The Journey

When I was a kid, people used to use that phrase as a send-off, getting rid of someone who was being difficult. At the time, it was considered a rude dismissal and people would get offended.

Funny how times change. When I think of the ways we dismiss people today, I think inviting someone to take a stroll through nature might be one of the kindest things we could do.

Here’s why: When I’m acting belligerent, it’s usually because I’m feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or I feel like life is out of control. I’m acting belligerent because I’m reaching for control of any situations that I might be able to influence—often because I’m feeling that I’ve lost all sense of agency to influence anything.

Can you relate?

What Themes are Finding You?

What Themes are Finding You?

Nathan Westwick
The Journey

I’ve been faced with an inordinate amount of “swtich-a-roos” recently. You know—those moments when the rug gets pulled out from under the plans you made, and everything is disrupted and you’re left scrambling trying to figure out what the best next-step is…

And then there have been times when I’ve tried to make plans, develop strategies, set a course of action, only to be waiting on someone else or something else, and I can’t do squat until I have that information, and so…I…wait.

It’s the classic switch-a-roo.

So rather than stay irritated at the change of circumstances or frustrated with the waiting, I’ve been trying to pay better attention to what’s beneath the irritation and frustration.

Book Release Announcement!!

Book Release Announcement!!

Nathan Westwick
Fighting for What's Good, Faith

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!

I am thrilled beyond belief to announce that my book, Clearing the Path: Connecting with God in a Cluttered World is now available on Amazon! (Kindle, paperback, hardcover options available, with a special thank-you to Pastor Matt Brown for writing the foreword!)

This book aims to help you connect with God on a deeper level, experiencing being known, seen, and loved by Him, and enjoying the personal transformation that comes as a result. Please share this post with anyone who you think would enjoy this read!

To grab your copy, simply click here!

Full Book Excerpt: Introduction

Full Book Excerpt: Introduction

Nathan Westwick
Faith, Life Abundant, The Journey

Do you ever find yourself feeling like God is distant?

Maybe something deep inside tells you that there is more to be had from the Christian life. Maybe you’ve been doing all the right things (at least as best as you know how), genuinely trying your best to pursue God and yet find that He still feels distant, despite your best efforts.

[Read on for the full chapter]

An Exciting Announcement!

An Exciting Announcement!

Nathan Westwick
Real Change, Life Abundant, Faith

I wrote a book recently.

It’s called Clearing the Path: Connecting with God in a Cluttered World, and I cannot wait to share it with you.

So that you can get a taste of it, and so that I can enjoy sharing bits and pieces of it with you, I will be releasing excerpts over the next several weeks before the full book is available (late summer 2023 on Amazon and other retail outlets).

Short excerpts will be posted on my Instagram account (be sure to follow me @nathan.westwick) and longer pieces will be posted here on my blog.

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