Mark Sorensen Can I be honest with you?
I’m a mess. Seriously. Like, a super-mess.
There. It’s out.
Where to even start? Ok. Here: I set high expectations for myself. There’s that. Oh. Add to the mix that I struggle with insecurity and work hard at making everyone happy. And, guess what? I love what I do. However, because I love what I do, I throw myself into what I do. Now, hear me. This isn’t a bad thing necessarily, however, there are times I don’t seek out sabbath and rest quite like I should and THAT never ends well for anyone. Oh. one more thing? I’m terrible at saying “no”. Seriously. Don’t believe me? Here. Ask me to do something. I’m serious. Go…
[dramatic pause while you ask, “said question”…]
Ok, “No”. To that, I will say, “No” (Hey, I’m trying to get better at it).
Since I am on a roll, here’s one last one. At times, I can be incredibly impatient. I’d like to blame the Houston traffic. Or possibly that lady in front of me today getting the seven, that’s right, I said S-E-V-E-N frappuccino’s (fun fact… trying to pass the time with witty banter I say, “Woah… someone’s thirsty…” to which she responds, “Um, they’re not all for me“… sigh). Then there was my finding the perfect spot in the grocery store parking lot. You know that spot, right? It’s the one close to the front? I begin my entry only to stop and see the world’s tiniest-ever compact car situated right in the middle. Really. It looked like a hot wheels car and I almost drove right over it.
I could go on. Oh, trust me. I could go on.
Instead, let me go here:
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. -Ephesians 6:10-17
Look. Here’s the thing. Life is a battle. It’s that simple. Paul was certainly open to the struggles that life can present. However, what I love about what Paul is saying to the Ephesian church is this: prepare for battle by being STRONG in the Lord and in HIS mighty power.
And what does it look like to be strong in the Lord and leaning in to His mighty power? We armor up. Look again at what we’re called to wear:
The Belt of Truth around our waist. The Breastplate of Righteousness. Our Feet Fitted with the Readiness that Comes from the Gospel of Peace. Taking up the Shield of Faith and wearing the Helmet of Salvation and the Sword of the Spirit.
But don’t miss this. There’s an essential ingredient necessary to fight and fight well. Ready? Paul says this:
Put on the F-U-L-L armor of God.
HUGE!
We can have the belt of truth around our waist but if we’re not wearing the breastplate of righteousness, our heart is vulnerable to attack. We can wear the breastplate of righteousness but if we’re not equipped by wearing the helmet of salvation, our head and mind are open to the attacks and lies from the enemy. Therefore, we must put on the FULL armor of God.
Ok. One last confession? I don’t do a great job of wearing the FULL armor of God. Because of that, I’m not at my strongest when it comes to the attacks I face daily. However, here’s the good news: there’s hope for the battle belongs to the Lord. There’s a battle we’re waging. It’s real. But, don’t miss this: God is greater and He’s given us the ability to win the battle. Our job? To be strong in Him and in His mighty power. Then?
We suit up with the full armor of God.
Let’s be a people that put on the FULL armor of God and live bold lives out of His strength and mighty power.
