EQUIPPING YOURSELF TO REFLECT & SPREAD PEACE IN A CHALLENGING TIME: Part 2

Equipping Ourselves with the Whole Armor of God

It has been said by many, that at this time, the very soul of the nation, or the very soul of the world for that matter & subsequently our very souls are in danger. Daily decisions are being made by the earthly powers that reflect the opposite of God’s will for us. As those who are created in the very image of God & empowered by the Holy Spirit to reflect God’s Light to the world, it is up to us with God’s help & healing grace to resist the ways of darkness that are currently being proclaimed at this time & to protect ourselves from being overwhelmed by the untruths of these days & to step into living in God’s Light, fulfilling our purpose of reflecting God’s Light to the world, for only then will we be whole & healed.

In the book of Ephesians chapter 6:10-17 written in the New Testament of the Holy Bible, the people of faith are called to be “strong in the Lord & in the strength of His power” & to “put on the whole armor of God, so that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the darkness” & not be overwhelmed by darkness. The armor of God is a shield of protection & faith, that is a gift given by God that when accepted, will cover us & become part of us, allowing us to be able to stand firm in the Lord. The book of Ephesians list 6-7 parts that compose the armor of God. The whole armor of God, whom is a lamp unto our feet & a Light unto our path, is composed of multiple parts. When we are equipped with the full armor, we are kept from being overcome in challenging times & able to stand strong, reflecting & spreading the light of God regardless of what else may be attempting to pull us away from God’s will.

The first part of the armor is truth & righteousness which serves as a shield of faith that will help us be ever ready to boldly proclaim the Gospel of peace without fear or doubt. In a spirit of truth & righteousness, continual prayer will protect us from the darkness & bring us into the Light & guide our feet on the right path. To keep God’s will, we must know God’s Word in our heart. We can keep God’s Word by memorizing scripture & meditating on the Word. As stated in Psalms 119:105, the Word of God provides guidance & direction for life’s journey. A lamp symbolizes the Bible giving direction & protection for life’s journey, showing us the ways of God. The Light symbolizes illuminating the truth & the presence of God. The Word of God is a source of wisdom, guidance & protection.

Given the magnitude of the negative messages & challenges of this time we are currently living through that create such seemingly hopeless darkness & destructive direction, it does seem like the question that challenges us all is: “where will we find the strength & the hope to keep going forward reflecting the Light, love & wholeness that we are called by God to reflect, spread & live into?” When we find ourselves teetering between darkness & light, it is important that we equip ourselves with the whole armor of God, focused on God’s truth & righteousness, immersed in continual prayer & focused on His Holy Word. God is the Alpha & the Omega of all life, the beginning & the end. He is our guide & our strength. We can trust that as we move through these trying days of darkness, our strength to hope & to go forward will be given to us by our Holy living God & His Light will illuminate our path as the Light continues to shine & illuminate His Word of Peace that passes all understanding. AMEN…let it be so....

~Posted by Rev Kathryn Bindig, MDiv. MS; Pastoral Care Minister with assistance from Rich Muscatello; Director of Business Development & Strategy