When the Days Just Go

Pondering the Full Armor of God and How to Wear It

My Dear Lovelians & Lifers,

Original image credit to Lucian

It is incredible how the days fly by as the mundane relentlessly insists the little happenings amidst the repetition are unimportant. Nothing’s happening. Nothing to say. Nothing to write. Sometimes, the days just go. While I prefer to hold every moment in my heart and not miss a single petal catching the sunlight on its way to the stirring earth, I cannot hold myself to such an impossible standard. However, I always find a way to return to it in the end.  

Here I find myself four weeks later, determined not to waste my Spring Break. Sometimes the days just go. Ah, teacher perks. I am quite proud of myself. I’ve grown since my last one! I actually allowed myself a nap gasp and didn’t count the minutes. I have no idea how long I dozed contentedly that first day splayed out on my bed in front of the open window.

I have had a lengthy bit of time since then to think, gather my thoughts, write, attend tea shops, and mulch. So much mulching. Everything hurts. A topic I find myself consistently drawn to is the armor of God. I wear bits and pieces of it, walking in pursuit of peace to name one, but I know I’m missing vital elements. The armor I own has been woven and constructed with self-preservation and fear in mind, not confidence and godly authority.

So how does one actually wear the full armor of God as Ephesians 6 describes in beautiful word pictures and metaphors? The Helmet of Salvation, Breastplate of Righteousness, Belt of Truth, Shoes of Peace, Shield of Faith, Sword of the Spirit? While they appeared so self-explanatory to me since childhood, I never really considered how to truly wear these pieces until I began pursuing real God-given authority, less over others mind you and more over myself and my own failings.

What I have discovered so far fills me with anticipation to learn more. Shield of Faith. Ephesians describes its purpose as protection against the “fiery darts of the enemy.” If there is immeasurable good at work behind the scenes, it only makes sense that there also exists a great evil. Not equal, mind you, just great. After all, angels were given the choice as well whether or not they would follow God. Some chose not to. Like God, they cannot be seen, be we feel their effects. Since their moral fall, they live out the remainder of their days doing everything in their power to steal, kill, and destroy every ounce of godliness in the human heart through insecurities, hurts, and our own affinity for wrong decisions. Using my shield means choosing to believe His words over my own evidence of unworthiness and others’ labels. Hence, those fiery darts, sometimes whispered through the lips of my friend, have no effect on me.

Breastplate of Righteousness. Surprise surprise, I do not get along with everyone all the time. Within the past couple of days, I am beginning to understand ‘putting on righteousness’ so to speak means training myself to stay my own course and not concern myself with the decisions other people make, even when I find them morally wrong. I must follow my own conscience as it is led by God. I am reminded of a verse from Isaiah---- And whenever you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: ‘This is the way. Walk in it.’ Like the Mandalorians of old. Yes, this is actually a Bible verse.

I suppose there are always thoughts knocking around in my brain, even when the days just go. Now for the practice. In the meantime, I will keep discovering. Until then,

You have my Sword,

Olivia

P.S. I’ve recently taken a liking to vintage movie classics. This morning I watched Casablanca. “Here’ s looking at you, kid.”