The idea of getting fit is awesome.
Six-pack abs, legs for days. Arms that can open any mayonnaise jar… but statistically, fitness is not in your favour. Around 65% of people who buy a gym membership… never go (and of those who go, 50% quit within six months!) Same for a bicycle and running shoes… 🙁
So I was Praying about my purpose and calling, knowing that God wants a certain level of preparation from me and we were just having a discussion about it all when I came across Psalm 91 again.
”His massive arms are wrapped around you, protecting you. You can run under his covering of majesty and hide. His arms of faithfulness are a shield keeping you from harm.”
(Psalm 91:4 TPT)
And of course, the words piled up and made me think of the Armour of God in Ephesians. And I realised… I have it wrong. God was steering me through the pages of the bible to a beautiful revelation!
I have been lucky enough to visit the old city of Ephesus (or at least, the archaeologically uncovered remains that is in modern day Turkey) and it is amazing. I can totally imagine the picture Paul is creating about God’s armour, and why!
In Acts we see Paul’s trouble in Ephesus. The great temple of Artemis was there (7th wonder of the Ancient World). Idolatry was so wild, it had an economic impact on the wealth of the city. According to historians, every female devotee of the temple served for two years as a temple prostitute, earning money for the bank of the temple of Artemis.
So yes, the picture Paul paints of the Armour of God really makes sense, considering the spiritual onslaught believers would have faced in Ephesus. To that congregation, Paul was making Psalms and Isaiah true. I understand your battle, here is how we will be fighting it!
But here’s my realisation… 2,000 years and 11,000km away…
Putting on the armour doesn’t really do anything. Buying the gym membership doesn’t make you fit or strong. Putting on the running shoes and then sitting on the couch, watching TV… it’s not cardio!
My friend Neil always jokes about the YouTube self-defence videos. That is not learning to defend yourself! Going into a dojo or a class and actually sparring, getting hit and grappling is where you learn what you are capable of.
Going to the gym, getting on a bicycle or running around the block is where your heart starts beating and your body starts to get the benefit of a workout.
You have to actually do the workout, not just wear the outfit!
Ready to share the Good News? You can put on the shoes, but if you haven’t run around the block, you are not going to run the Comrades!
Want to stand between the devil and God’s Children? That is great and noble, but do you know how to use a shield? Roman shields were 5-10kg. Can you carry the weight of the shield, day in and day out to defend against the flaming arrows of the evil one? If you thought being an evangelist is hard work, try being an intercessor!
“With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
(Ephesians 6:18 NIV)
… or…
”Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
(Ephesians 6:17 NIV)
Can you swing a sword? Metaphorically?
Is your plan to put on God’s armour, sit under His protective wing and wait for the attacks of the evil one on your life to pass? Or will you fight back?
You can’t just own a Bible. You can’t just let it sit next to your bed on the nightstand. Like the gym membership card in your wallet… It’s not worth anything there… unless… (I think you get my drift…)
Paul speaks to action. Put your shoes on, we ARE running. Get your bible out. We ARE going to put some notches on that blade of yours!
