Shielding Yourself

Saturday evening Chris & I went out for a ride on our bikes. When we started out it was early evening and the sun was just starting to go down. By the time we got to the Rowlett, Rockwall area it was dark. We rode over the lake on the bridge that crosses Hwy 66. As we got about half way across, I realized it was beginning to rain pretty hard, the face mask on my helmet was being pelted pretty good. As we got to the end of bridge, Chris motioned for us to pull over at a gas station. It was then that I realized, it wasn't raining at all... Yes, you guessed it, it was bugs!! You know, just like when you're driving a car at night and bugs it the windshield. Only this is much grosser and nastier, because it's hitting in front of your face. We went into the bathroom and laughed as we washed off our face masks! I guess it was so bad because we were driving over the lake, it wasn't like that anywhere else.

Needless to say, I can't imagine what it must be like for all of those people you see out there who don't wear helmets, let alone face shields. I will never be without mine!! Yuck!! As I have thought about that today, it has reminded me of another shield we sometimes go without and don't really think about it. How often to we go out into the world without the armor of God surrounding us, without being covered in His word to protect us? I know I probably do it more than I would care to admit. I try to always cover my day in prayer and study, but how often do we really go out into the world and not consciously think about protecting ourselves from Satan? If I were to ride at night without a shield over my face, it would only take a second of bug splatter (oooh groooss!!) hitting my face to remind me to put my shield down. But Satan isn't quite as obvious as those bugs. He hits us just a little bit at a time; quietly and discretely, little by little, until suddenly we are covered, disgusting and gross. How long do we let Satan pelt away at us before we remember to put our shield around us?

I know in my life, I sometimes take to many things for granted in my day to day life. I rely to much on myself sometimes and forget to put on my armor and put up my shield around me. I have been reminded of the Zoe song, A Shield About Me. "Thou oh Lord, are a shield about me. You're my Glory, you're the lifter of my head. Alleluia, you're the lifter of my head."

I want to be more aware in my life of calling on the Lord to be a shield about me every second of every day. He IS my glory and my head will stay lifted if I remember to cover myself with His shield for protection.