Armored for God

It is frigid, even here in NC. Of course, frigid in NC is a heat wave in Minnesota. Snow and ice seem to be hitting the rest of the nation, but we only have rain. I bundled up in my coat designed for 20 degrees below zero to walk Honeybun. I was toasty warm since it was probably a good 50 degrees warmer than what the coat is designed to handle.

When we first came to Charlotte, my husband found an LLBean coat at Goodwill. It would have been a $300 coat new. It looked brand new. It was real down, with a fur parka hood, and as puffy as a pillow. It was about 4 sizes too big for me, but it was only $5 and was made to survive winter in Alaska. My husband knew a good deal when he saw one! He bought it for me. It filled the car. I could not wait to wear the massive coat. Just what is needed in balmy North Carolina. Back in my pre-hotflash days, I was always freezing. I loved the mega-warm coat.

So the first cold day, maybe 40 degrees outside, I put on the coat. I looked like a StayPuff Marshmallow, or an astronaut exploring the dark side of the moon. The arms were so puffy with down that I couldn't bend them. The fur lined hood completely concealed my face. I went shopping in my arctic-proof spacesuit, hood up, face ensconced in fur. As I was walking between stores, one man looked at me and stopped in his tracks and said, "You have got to be kidding."

I will never forget that. I was so happy for that nice warm coat. I didn't realize how...well...weird I was. (It seems lately I have had to face the reality that I am not normal. It is quite sobering. I know I have quirks, but I always thought I was still within the bell curve. I am beginning to think that might not be the case.)

Anyway, I was prepared for the worst slings and arrows that winter could throw at me. I was totally unafraid of the wanton ways of the weather. In that coat, I could survive anything.

Well, almost anything.

The Bible warns that our battle is not against flesh and blood or even Old Man Winter. The Battle is against the principalities of darkness -- the forces of evil. We are not told to put on a coat that can keep out the chilliest of chills but we are told to don battle gear: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, shoes ready to go forth with the Gospel of Peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Word of God. All that impressive armor is to be further covered by continual prayer. Two things struck me about this description.
1. the enemy is powerful and not to be trifled with. This is head to toe protection, giving the impression that if one teensy portion of ourselves is exposed to the enemy, we are mincemeat.
2. my LL Bean coat can't hold a candle to this gear.

I don't think we take the spiritual battle seriously enough. I think most of us don't realize we are even in a battle. Most of us look at this description and think, "You have got to be kidding." I don't think God is kidding. Evil strikes sometimes from never expected corners. If we aren't covered head to toe in the armor of God, we are exposed to a brutal adversary. Better people than I have been felled. Look at the list of respected and honored paragons of leadership and faith that have succumbed in scandal after scandal. That should be a grave warning. Best to be ready, prepared for anything.

"No," I told the man, who was incredulously surveying me in my enormous warm coat, "I am not kidding. It is supposed to get colder this afternoon and I want to be prepared."
"Well that you will be," he said walking on, shaking his head.

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Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, (Ephesians 6:11-18 ESV)

-save a dog- hollowcreekfarm.org
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