Snow is rare where I live. We experienced this strange phenomenon this week. No, it isn’t really strange to many people but if felt strange and wonderful to us. At least it was wonderful as long as someone could take the time to go play in it. But after so long, life calls you back to work and productivity and doing all the things that need to be done.
Temperatures warm just enough during the day to turn that beautiful white stuff into streams of water spreading out waiting to refreeze overnight when the temperature falls. Slick sheets of ice show up the next morning to unsuspecting victims. Feet slip and slide. Cars slip and slide. Accidents happen.
Reminds me of the enemy. All fun and games until it isn’t. He comes in bringing all the fun and convinces you this is the best thing ever. For a while, you believe him.
You build snowmen in whatever size the snow allows. You use kayaks, which are much better on a body of water in July, pulled behind whatever motorized vehicle can get traction, to have your very own thrill ride down hill. Great fun. Memories forever etched in your brain. Pictures and videos shared to preserve the memories. The snow was great!
But the next day when you want to get up to go to work, you discover the ice. An obstacle keeping you from doing what you need to do has formed overnight. From the winter wonderland of snow comes sheets of threatening dangers.
The enemy wants nothing more than to convince you the stuff he brings you is good and right. His toolbox is full of things that can trip you and make you fall. But God’s toolbox is bigger and better than the enemy’s.
We have to approach the struggle prepared. We have to know what we are up against. The adversary has been playing this game for a long time. He knows how to push your buttons and undo your attempts at staying upright. He will place a sheet of slick ice in your path that will surely bring you down.
So what do you do?
The preparation is a daily act of arming yourself with the tools that God gives you. You are preparing for battle. You wouldn’t walk into a competition without having some knowledge of your opponent. You wouldn’t attempt to run a marathon without conditioning your body for the physical demands of the race.
Paul outlines the armor of God in Ephesians 6, but not before telling you what you are up against. He reminds you that the enemy is scheming. The enemy uses the power of the persuasion to entice you into his lair. Once there, he can keep you there as long as you are willing to stay. It isn’t up to him when you leave. It is your choice. You can stand in the strength of God. The enemy can’t!
Armed with that knowledge, you begin accessing the armor of God, which will only strengthen that knowledge. But let me tell you that you must keep this armor on you at all times. One small opening in the armor will give the enemy entrance into territory he has no right to be. This armor is not to be laid down. Keep it polished. Make it shine. Keep it fresh.
Wrap your waist with the belt of truth. It protects the very part of the body that holds the power to bring life. God ordained His creation to multiply. Stand firm in life-giving truth. Hold fast to what is right in God’s eyes.
Guarding your heart with the breastplate of righteousness keeps you standing firm by doing what is acceptable to God. The purifying organs of life protected by a breastplate.
Plant your feet in a sturdy pair of shoes to be prepared and ready to share good news of peace. Stand on a steady foundation built by the proclamation of the saving grace given by the sacrifice of Jesus. Step confidently into a sure footing in the assurance of salvation.
Brandish the shield of faith to extinguish flaming arrows being hurled your way by the enemy. Use it. Maintain it. It becomes proof of your relationship with God. This relationship cannot be destroyed. The shield moves with you and goes where you do.
Your salvation is sealed by the blood of Jesus. Your soul belongs to Him, not the enemy. Having that knowledge protected by the hope found in Him becomes your helmet of salvation.
The precision of the sword can divide and separate the good from the bad. His word is the fuel for your spirit to grow in Him and prayer binds all the other pieces of the armor together. Stay alert and stand firm in the provisions of God.
Now you are armed and ready for battle. You are prepared for whatever comes your way. Stand firm in your preparations and maintain them well. The armor is vital to your life. Keep it with you at all times.
The enemy will not stop attempting to pull you away from God. He will use whatever is at his disposal to ruin the good that God gives. Hold tightly to the armor of God so that you are prepared for his tactics.
God brought us this winter wonderland of beauty. He gifted us the pure white snow. Just like He gave us the purity of His Son. Jesus replaces all our sin through His blood and leaves us as white as snow.
