We grabbed a seat on the front porch while we waited for our adventure to begin. Suddenly we heard a sound. It was the metal jingle of loose-fitting spurs on the weathered cowboy boots the wrangler was wearing, scuffing the wooden front porch steps as he climbed the stairs to greet us. Will came and greeted us and prepared us for our day. He went through the waivers, asked if we wanted helmets, and then walked us through our horses and their temperaments. I was up first! He asked me, “You are experienced and know how to ride, right?” I mustered up the gumption to get out a somewhat broken, “Yes!” What did that question mean, I wondered? How bad is this horse?
He went on to explain that I have an ex-barrel racer. Well, isn’t that lovely for this retired cowgirl! I looked to my mother wide-eyed. She giggled. Then, I looked around and asked my girls if anyone saw any barrels sitting around? This was more than I bargained for!
The problem was I knew all too well what this horse was capable of. We all were given our horses and marching orders! We mounted the horses, adjusted the stirrups, and headed out for a sunny, seaside adventure on horseback. The scenery was breathtaking. We walked through creek beds, climbed sandy cliffs, ducked under lush tree branches, and splashed in the ocean on horseback. We even saw humpback whales breaching out at sea as if waving to us from their salty playground.
It doesn’t end there. Mom and her adventurous spirit yelled up to Will, our guide, “Can we canter now?” The girls were behind me yelling, “Yes!”
Hold your horses! Are you serious? Don’t forget! I am on an ex-barrel racer! Will and mom took off galloping ahead as my horse began to crow hop. He was chomping at the bit—literally. Even though there were no barrels sittin’ around, he was on a mission to find them. Away he went, and so did my ball cap! I took it all in stride. It was like riding a bike! I had not forgotten how to ride. That ride could have ended a bit differently for me on that little fun-loving barrel racer. I thought to myself, “Why didn’t you wear a helmet, Melissa?”
Here’s the problem. We know what we need to stay safe and be prepared. We know what will protect us, but we willfully choose at times to go without. Often, we think we know better. Do you know what I am talking about? It’s pride rearing its ugly head when we think, “We’ve got this!” Friends, no, we don’t “got this”. We need Jesus and the full armor of God—every moment of every day.
I left the ranch thinking about that helmet that I signed away, and what could have been. The Lord, in His gentle but correcting and convicting nature, reminded me of His armor that is for my protection.
Ephesians 6:10-20 says, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the Gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak” (NKJV).
Matthew Henry says, “We have enemies to fight against, a captain to fight for, a banner to fight under, and certain rules of war by which we are to govern ourselves. ‘Finally, my brethren, it yet remains that you apply yourselves to your work and duty as Christian soldiers.’ Now it is requisite that a soldier be both stout-hearted and well-armed. If Christians be soldiers of Jesus Christ.”
We are to take up and put on the whole armor of God. My question is: what armor am I going without? Am I fully armed for battle every day, or am I choosing to willfully leave behind my spiritual armor? What about you? Are there pieces of God’s armor that you are leaving behind? It’s time to put on the full armor of God!
How can you make Monumental Moments and live to multiply His movement today?
