Getting Dressed - Part I

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Now that we are out of bed, what do we do?

There are many things that may make up a typical morning ritual – the paper, coffee, shower, checking your email – but one thing is pretty universal – getting dressed. Just as we put on clothes appropriate to the tasks of the day, we need to dress ourselves spiritually in preparation for the day ahead. The difference is that what we put on to equip us to face the spiritual battle of the day is not something different every day. In Ephesians 6, Paul lays out what we need: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the readiness of the gospel of peace as our shoes, the helmet of salvation, the shield of faith, and the sword of the Spirit (the Word of God). We also ask for the ability to pray in the Spirit on all occasions. As I write this blog, I’m sitting in the dining hall of Beulah Camp in New Brunswick and although I’d like to write more (and even be a bit humorous), Timmy is potentially going to wake up any moment so I’m going to keep this short. All I want to do is ask you to: 1) consider putting on the armour of God everyday as part of your morning routine2) share with us how that impacts your life. I’ve probably told yous this before (hey, is that a New Brunswick dialect, Elvira?) but I heard a talk in the summer of 1991 that encouraged us to put on the armour of God daily. As I’ve done this, the impact has been significant – especially in increasing my comprehension of what we have in Christ and how I can be strong in Him in spite of my being so weak.

Comments

  1. LianneJuly 8, 2009 at 5:42 PM

    Thanks Tracy ... can I just say, I've been looking forward to the second installation of your blog! I was so happy to get Jessica's e-mail this afternoon. This is making a difference in my life. Question: what is meant by "the readiness of the gospel of peace" and why is this to be our shoes? I'm game to take up the challenge.

    ReplyDelete
  2. TracyJuly 12, 2009 at 10:21 PM

    My understanding of the phrase "having our feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace" means that we are ready (and willing) to take the gospel wherever we go. We are ready to to share the good news of God's love for us and Christ's atoning sacrifice that has freed us from our sin with others. (The phrase harken us to Isaiah 52:7 "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, Your God reigns!")
    It also means that we are ready to walk in a way that is consistent with the gospel of peace - being a person of peace, working towards reconciliation, being a peacemaker, etc.

    What do others think?

    ReplyDelete

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