Preparing in Layers

The weather the last few days has been great for motorcycle riding! But being prepared for the weather on a motorcycle is tricky. If the weather forecast is calling for great impending rain, I don't ride. I don't want to get caught out in the rain. But riding in the 70ish degree weather is awesome. The only thing is, it's very different than just being outside in the 70ish degree weather.

While the weather appears very warm while standing outside, riding on a motorcycle the air can become very cool when it's in the 70's. So when riding a motorcycle, you have to dress in layers to be prepared for the cool and able to peel off layers as the air warms up.

Walking out for the day in our Christian walk is much the same way when you think about it. If you aren't prepared, you can be in for some nasty "weather" even in your spiritual walk. Dressing in layers spiritually could mean a variety of things. Beginning your day with prayer, staying in the word, being ready to greet others with a smile, the list goes on and on.

In Ephesians 6, scripture tells us, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."

Are we going out prepared and dressed in layers? Are we ready so that when Satan sends his arrows we have enough layers to keep him at bay? When someone needs our help and it's not the most convenient time for us, when someone cuts us off in traffic, when someone says something extremely hurtful to us, when we are just simply not having the best of days. Are we layered and prepared enough so that as Satan sends his arrows and peels us back, layer by layer, that we are still layered and prepared enough to stand?

We have the full armor of God for our layers of protection. But they only benefit us if we are intentional about making sure we are putting them on.

Have a great week! I'll be praying for you!