My granddaughter is in the three-year-old dress up phase. She’s a princess, or she’s in mix-match, or she’s dressed ready for work like mommy. It’s adorable, and it’s creative, and it’s the way little girls fantasize. And now she’s talking about Halloween. While I don’t like what’s become of the Halloween thing, I love that kids can pretend to be someone else just for a little while. It’s a good thing for their imagination, for their image, and a great part of growing up.
We adults put on “costumes” too. We answer to others that “we’re fine” when we’re not. We mask our emotions pretty well and so often that we begin not to believe they’re there at all. We hide under a veneer and show only what we care to show to the world.
In another way, we “fake our way” in our praying too. Do you always really unburden yourself before the Lord and tell Him what’s really on your mind, or do you, like me, just keep “stuff” to yourself and try to handle things on your own? I do.
So, this morning when I read Ephesians 6 again, I sat amazed at what God was telling me. Do you need this message? I can’t say it better than St. Paul, so here it is in full force, the Word of God:
Here’s our mission for the day: “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 to 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. And pray in the Spirit on ALL occasions, with ALL kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and ALWAYS keep on praying for ALL the saints.” (Ephesians Chapter 6)
About the Author
