It Isn’t Weird Until You Put All of it On

Put on the whole armor of God.  – Ephesians 6:11-18

My Family was in Nashville around the Holidays last year.  The mall there is the best one that I’ve ever seen.  I say this because I spent a ton of money on Black Friday . . . or should I say SAVED a ton of money?  I definitely spent it.  Having said that, I got some cool stuff that in no way would I have ever paid regular price. 

My favorite pair of boots is a pair of Ariat rain boots.  Also, the hat that I gravitate to these days is my brown Ariat hat.  I’ve had these for a while.  But, when I was in Nashville, I bought a pair of Ariat jeans and a few shirts.  

When I drive a bus for a ball team after school, I try my best to change clothes.  I don’t want to drive in teaching clothes, and I don’t want to teach in driving clothes.  I was driving after school, so I quickly went home to change my clothes.  I was going for speed, so I basically went for the most available.  I wound up putting on an entire Ariat outfit.  I paid zero attention to it until twice someone poked fun at me.  I was asked if I worked there and then asked if I robbed the outlet store.  No big deal, but it got me to thinking.  As long as you are mixing and matching brands, nobody cares.  However, if you put on all the same brand, then that is kind of weird.

The Bible says we are to put on the whole armor of God.  There is a helmet, which represents what we let into our minds.  There is a breastplate, which represents guarding our hearts.  There are shoes which represents our willingness to tell others about Jesus.  There is a shield that if you carry around, it means that you are on guard against the devil and his schemes.  There is a belt that represents keeping yourself pure because it pleases God.  Lastly, there is a sword which is the Word of God.  It is our only offensive weapon that allows us to strike serious blows to the enemy.  

As you look around at people today who claim to follow Christ, do you see evidence of them wearing all the armor?  It is only weird in America if someone wears it all.  I recently went on a spell of wearing all the armor except for the helmet.  I kind of lost my mind for a bit.  I was keeping one foot in the world, and the other one in church.  I know it doesn’t work like that.  As soon as I put it on, I felt so complete.  I began to feel God’s presence more often and my heart just gravitated towards Him more.  

Almost immediately, someone let me know that someone they knew thought I took this Jesus stuff a little too seriously.  Now, I might make sure I mix and match my clothing so I’m not wearing the same brand again, but I hope and pray that I’ll be weird from now on because I’m wearing ALL the armor that God provides.  

Lord, as always, there is no one like You.  You have been, are, and always will be the best thing that this life offers.  Help me and all who read this morning to live for You, and I mean truly live for You.  Eternity is a long time.  Prepare us for it, Lord.  Help us to intentionally wear the armor of God.  Amen.