Women love fashion. Well, at least this woman does! I'm embarrassed to let on just how much satisfaction I receive from putting a cute outfit together in the morning; as if I've restored peace to the middle east by paring the right skirt with the right shoes. As part of my morning ritual, I would be completely thrown off if I went to work with out getting appropriately dressed.
My study of Ephesians has reminded me of a passage that was frequently taught in Sunday school growing up. Ephesians 6 teaches that 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" (Ephesians 6:12) I must admit that I don't often consider the spiritual warfare that continues daily. 1 peter 5:8 says "your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour". In order to combat the schemes of the evil one, Ephesians instructs us to put on the armor of God. "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".
I must ask: When was the last time I put my armor on? According to Ephesians, our struggles are not just of our own accord. There is a great battle taking place, and we are called to be dressed and ready. We must do all that we can to be "alert and of sober mind" (1 Peter 5:8), ready to defend and honor God. If we together put on the armor of God daily, we can combat the evil one. Let's not forget this step in our morning ritual-it should be as seamless as putting on our favorite pair of espadrilles.
"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"
Ephesians 6:13
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