A large part of living mindfully is intentionally thinking about things that most people rarely consider. This enables us to see the deeper meanings behind some things. Alternatively, it can help us to learn about one thing while looking at another, finding spiritual truths in everyday things.
My daughter and I are going to see the new Star Wars movie this weekend. She’s 20 years old now, and busy with college, so we don’t get to spend much time together. We’re pretty big Star Wars fans, so I’m really looking forward to that time with her. While I was thinking about that recently, a strange thought occurred to me. The stormtroopers are decked out in armor from head to toe, but the armor doesn’t provide them with any protection! Blasters and lightsabers aren’t even slowed down by it. On top of that, it is bright white! It’s pretty hard to be stealthy when you’re dressed like that.
I’ve purposefully held off on posting on the armor of God because there are so many posts about it. But when that thought hit me I knew I had to write about it, because the truth is that all too often we walk around thinking that we’re protected because we’re Christians. We may “put on the whole armor of God” without much thought, or without the relationship and disciplines implied but is it possible that we are only putting on The Emperor’s New Clothes? Or are we walking about in the plastic armor of a Halloween costume?
Over the course of the next few Mondays, we will look at the Armor of God, and how we put it on and use it. We find the list of our armor in Ephesians 6:10-18:
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 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 for all the saints” (ESV).
We will dive right in next week with the Belt of Truth. Try to give some time this week to mindfully examine your use of the armor of God.
Skipping Stones 