ARRRREEE.... YOOOOUUU.... REAAAADDDY?
This morning while tending to my garden, I knelt on a rock barefoot, with my hair in my face trying to balance and pull weeds and not fall into the mud. I ended up muddy and with a sticker thorn in my thumb! Ouch!
I had a revelation that would probably amuse even the most novice of gardeners. Please humor me.
I thought, "You know what's wrong here? I am not properly suited up for this "sport."
What I need are some overalls, boots, gloves, and a big hat, and I will be good to go! Gardening is a whole new world to me, and like any new hobby, there is a sub-culture associated with it, complete with websites, shops, and specialty stores, where I can buy the specific equipment I never knew I needed to become a better gardener and succeed at my new hobby.
Just as the gardener has specific equipment, the football player has his pads and helmet; the hockey player has his skates and the catcher his mask. The equipment is all justifiably necessary, and we are glad to spend time and money preparing ourselves for our favorite sports and pastimes.
We wouldn't dare think of attempting most sports without the proper equipment (take rock climbing or skydiving, for instance!) Imagine the absurdity of patting little Johnny on the bottom, saying, "Get on in there!" if he were barefoot or had no helmet or pads. We want them to be protected; we want them to be safe and prepared, maybe even have the upper hand. In fact, just last week, I had to overnight my daughter's "forgotten" jersey to Florida as it was necessary for the volleyball game. God forbid she wears the wrong shirt.
And if we are unsure how to play the game or help our children, we get a coach and even a private lesson. We want them to do their best and have every opportunity to succeed and display their gifts and talents. How then do we prepare our children for life's very difficult and all-important game?
God has given us a specific plan for succeeding in life. He even commands us to suit up! The Bible is specific about how to prepare for battle, trials, and temptations that are certain to come our way. God says it requires a full suit of armor!
I'll say!!
If I am going to succeed in life, I need to be prepared. There is a whole passage in the book of Ephesians that I find encouraging and empowering. I think you might too!
The Armor of God
Ephesians 6:10-18
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Put on the full armor of God
so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,
but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world
, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Therefore put on the full armor of God,
so that when the day of evil comes,
you may be able to stand your ground,
and after you have done everything, to stand.
Stand firm then,
with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,
with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
In addition to all this,
take up the shield of faith,
with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Take the helmet of salvation
and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God.
When I break this passage down, I see that I need some serious equipment to succeed in life, endure trials, and resist temptation.
I need a belt
of truth,
a breastplate of
righteousness,
my shoes are to be
the Gospel and peace
I need a shield of
faith "TO EXTINGUISH FLAMING ARROWS" (these tend to come at me daily.)
a helmet of
salvation
and my sword is to be
the Bible
This must be some fight! I want to be ready! Don’t you? Friends, the good news is that we have been given an instruction manual and when we follow it and apply it to our lives… It WILL PREPARE US! and we will be victorious.