Covid-19, people in distress, mentally, emotionally, socially, physically, and spiritually, evaluating and seeking relief, our day like none other before in the history of mankind that I can relate to so well in my limited way. Thoughts and observations touch my heart, filling it with sadness and gratitude. My mind turning into a contemplative stew of words, emotions, values, priorities, and eternal treasures seeks spiritual enlightenment. The connection of spiritual matters to my temporal existence leads on a personal path of enlightened understanding when trying to make sense of life’s happenings. A mirror reflecting my deepest needs, sometimes not recognized as such, until the passing of time, showing perspective and dimension, is a gift of hope-filled peace. Paul’s teachings to the Ephesians about personal protection seem symbolically appropriate.
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Ephesians 6:11-17
Impressionably visual, my reflective thoughts glimpse a mirrored image of me clothed in battle gear. Struck by the placement and purpose of each article, I appreciate the defensive nature of armour, protection to vital bodily parts. Offensive weaponry also provides another layer of complexity.
Head
- centre of the neurological system
- thinking, directing the entire body
Thinking . . . An essential part of humanity, the intensely complicated communication system begins in the brain. Without neurons to detect my internal and external environment, process and transmit information to cells and muscles, my ability to think, remember, and act, curtailed, I would not be me, simply a shell, void of free will. While consequences for disobedience to God exist, He always allows choice. (See Genesis 3)
Spiritually thinking . . .
What forces exert influence for good or evil?
How do I recognize them, discern, and choose the right course of action?
How do I manifest my desires to receive eternal life?
He knows more than me.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.”
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thought than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9
Little wonder our heads need protection from the wiles of the adversary and a receptacle for receiving warning and guiding revelation.
So, what does the helmet of salvation mean? When I think about the word ‘salvation’ a few scriptures jump out at me, most notably Exodus 14:13-14.
“And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.”
“The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.”
In Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians (1 Thess. 5:8), he teaches the source of salvation. “But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ”
Activating the protective attributes of this special helmet requires filling my mind with God’s words continually. Salvation comes from faith and works through believing in Jesus Christ, the miraculous power of His atonement, that cleanses me from sin’s stains, qualifying me for eternal life. When life’s happenings and trials strike a downward blow, my thoughts turn to scripture verses and hymns of praise that provide courage and strength to withstand, endure, and overcome. I choose to accept His invitations. I am blessed, safe, and at peace. He provides the perfectly fitted helmet for my needs and protection. John 3:16.
Chest
- centre of the circulatory system
- heart
- oxygenation
Feeling . . . Passions reside in the vast organ and blood vessel circuit of replenishment that delivers life-sustaining nutrients and impulses to every cell, including the major muscular organ. The heart, faithfully giving and receiving, oxygenates the entire body, obeying survival promptings as long as health permits.
Spiritually feeling . . .
Sentiments course through my arteries and veins trying to control. All is good when my heart and mind communicate effectively, for neither can perform in life’s symphony without the other. Each thrives as well-tuned instruments enabling me to dance to the music of my fragile, muscular organ. Being heartily invested and emotionally responsive, sometimes suffering from revolutionary tendencies, new rhythms pulse incessantly. Scriptures speak to my spirit, piercing my heart with overflowing goodness. They are ones that remind me the source of all righteousness is my covering. I strive to live worthy of his love.
“Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?”
“He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.”
“He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” Psalms 24:3-5.
What does a breastplate of righteousness look like? Feel like? Weigh?
When I look at the woman in the mirror and see the protective breastplate of righteousness secure across my chest, I know the song of my heart pulses with the desire to receive the life-sustaining nutrients he provides to replenish and oxygenize my body for his service.
“Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.”
2 Corinthians 3:2-4
Life happens and so do times my heart exercises fingertip gripping, seeking healing, and protection with anguished pleadings. Other times, as my soaring spirit expresses praise and gratitude, peace feeds my heart and soul, circulating throughout every sinew and pore of my being.
Loins
- kidneys
- lower back and abdomen
- reproduction
Thinking . . . A human factory producing hormones, regulating chemicals, balancing fluids, and controlling the production of red blood cells, the kidneys filtering of about 200 quarts of fluid every 24 hours is extremely impressive. Not to be outdone or working alone in bodily maintenance and production necessities, they share the loins with the lower abdomen and reproduction zone. The loins represent a tender, sensitive area.
Spiritually Thinking . . . Jesus told a parable the disciples question him about after leaving the condemning Pharisees and Scribes. The issue began with unwashed hands before eating. Jesus teaches, as recorded by Matthew (15:17-20). The need for spiritual filters originates in those things proceeding from the heart, spewing from the mouth. “Do ye not understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.
How does this relate to loins girt with truth?
The body has mechanisms in place to void things that defile health and well-being. The importance of this tender, sensitive area of my body, home to sacred procreative powers, expressions of love, a productive chemical factory, and excretion requires mindful attention. Spiritually, the instruction for girding the loins involves truth. I think about this phrase every time I read it, ‘loins girt about with truth.’ It still mystifies.
In my heart are girded a few sacred, solemn moments where tender, sensitive feelings testify of truth. My mind treasures, guards and protects the truth of those experiences, forever in my memory. Though the area of the body is not equivalent literally, Peter says, “Gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; . . . seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit… Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.” (1 Peter 1:13, 22-23) Purification and the loins, a metaphorical connection, gives spiritual meaning to systems of waste filtration, chemical balance, nutrient absorption, with a preparatory and developing place for emerging new life.
Feet
- foundation
Thinking . . .Taking the full force of one’s body is an intricate composition of tendons, muscles, and bones. Enabling walking, running, jumping, climbing, the shapes at the foundation of the human body, move us. I like wearing sandals but have learned environmental hazards exist as do potential for injuries, so I choose footwear appropriate to the occasion.
Spiritually Thinking . . .Walking with the Savior requires sturdy footwear. His paths go over dusty roads, up mountains, into synagogues, and beside rivers to love, serve, and bless others. We know little of his preparations, only given a small glimpse into his early life at the temple in Jerusalem with two verses telling of his character and development.
“And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.”
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” (Luke 2:40, 52)
Soon afterward we learn of his baptism, temptations after forty days and nights of fasting, choosing disciples, and then we see him in action. “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.” (Matthew 4:23).
Where are you willing to let your feet take you in following the one who is the way, the truth, and the life?
How are your feet shod with the gospel of peace?
Shield of faith
Placed upon the forearm, the shield, acts as additional protection for those with skill and training. Agility, flexibility, and acute attention enable the armour bearer to move quickly in defense. Called the shield of faith, it symbolizes power accessed only through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul defines faith. Examining my life’s experiences through the eyes of faith, I marvel as my sight extends to unseen guidance, and seemingly impossible possibilities within reach.
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
King James Version of the Holy Bible. Hebrews 11:1, 6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
How do you wield your shield of faith?
How have you been able to quench the fiery darts of the adversary using your shield? Several months after Alan died, I sat pondering my faith in life after death. Feeling overwhelmingly sad, unable to think, darkness filled my heart and mind. I felt a shadow settling that would not dispel. Doubts crept in. Meeting with my bishop one evening I found myself tearfully exclaiming, “I cannot do this. I don’t have enough faith. I always knew what I believed to be true, but I do not know how to still believe. I am not strong enough.” With lots of time spent on bent knees in prayer, I heard the inaudible voice of peace comfort me with words of scriptures and hymns softly speaking in my mind and heart. Prayer, scripture reading, journal writing and quiet, tear-filled, pleading moments helped me look for light in the darkness and withstand more darted assaults. Eventually, those particular darts were replaced by others. Using the same techniques, I find my shield of faith a blessing as I become more adept at its use.
Sword of the spirit
The sword of the spirit divides asunder. The use of the word of God separates truth from error, right from wrong, and righteousness from sin. This instrument of destruction, offensive in nature, protects defensively as its presence is capable of striking fear into the hearts of opponents. When Jesus cleansed the temple of moneychangers, his actions and words offended. Mark records, “And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.” His teachings caused division, disagreement, anger, misunderstanding, offenses, and betrayal. After a miraculous feeding and a sermon on the bread of life, many left. Jesus asks the twelve, “Will ye also go away?” (My heart pains at this question-John 6:67,) Peter’s words fill my heart with love (as it skips a beat for one of my heroes) when he responds, “Lord, to him shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” I bear my witness of this truth. Jesus is the Son of the living God, he is the Christ, the promised Messiah, the author and finisher of my faith. I trust in him and his words.
Paul’s description of the sword found in Hebrews 4:12, instills reverence.
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
How does knowing the word of God help you? Protect you?
Is it possible to wear a portion of the armour of God?
What is the promise to those who wear the whole armour?
Looking at the reflection returning to me in the mirror, I see. Daily giving more heed to securely fastening my armour, I gratefully acknowledge this gift. I face the adversary’s darts, falling prey to their stings and hurt, yet I continue to breathe, pick myself up, let God show me my weaknesses, and wake to fight another day. Continually learning to see, walk, and exercise, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit that I may stand still to see the salvation of my God as he helps me with my armour. I rely on his promises.
Life Happens . . . so do Swords and Shields, Rescues, so does the Shepherd, so do Faith and Wholeness.
Isaiah 41:10 “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
I get pleasure from, lead to I discovered exactly what I used to be looking for. You have ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye
You are welcome!
Beautifully written. Well done my friend!