Are You Equipped for the Day Ahead?

My daughter and I went grocery shopping at our neighborhood Kroger yesterday and as we were walking back to my car, with our shopping cart literally loaded to overflowing, we passed by a local Wilson County Sheriff’s Deputy who was on his way into the store.  I’m not totally sure why, but I took special note of all the equipment he was wearing and/or was attached to his utility belt/holster.  With his dark sunglasses, gun, bullet proof vest and everything else, he definitely looked like he was ready for just about any situation. 

But what caught my attention the most, was the look on his face.  It wasn’t the typical “I mean business” look that most Police Officers seem to wear when on patrol.  No… it looked a little soft and gentle… kind of submissive… and maybe even a bit flustered! 

He was talking on his cell phone and totally absorbed with the conversation he was having when we passed each other… and well… as he went by, I burst out into a quiet giggle because I instantly understood “the look.”  I gathered from the one-sided exchange that he had to be talking to his wife… saying, “Yes, yes I am heading into the store right now to pick that up for you…”

I got the idea that he really didn’t want to be there and pick up whatever she had requested… but from the soft look and the gentle tone of his voice, it was easy to pick up a close relationship between the couple and a genuine desire, on his behalf, to meet her need.  It reminded me of the first time my young wife, Piper, had requested that I go to the local Long’s Drug Store and purchase a certain feminine item for her.

All I can say is that I was TOTALLY embarrassed, but similar to how the deputy Sheriff looked and acted, I loved my wife and wanted to meet her need… so I tried my best to put on my game face… which I’m sure I failed miserably as I clearly recall feeling hot and stuttering my way through the cashier’s “Did you find everything you needed” greeting, as she rung up the sale… to which I had added a bunch of other needless items… thinking I could disguise my real  purpose for being there!

Okay… Okay!  As you’re reading this and laughing at me and my young twenties-year-old failed attempt at being “Mr. Cool…” I bet each of you could tell me of a similar situation that YOU faced sometime in your past!

And speaking of Mr. Cool… As I’ve studied my Bible and reflected over our passing interaction with the Deputy Sheriff the other day, I have begun to see how we… as Christians… are in many ways… just like that law enforcement officer… uniform and all!  I Thessalonians 5:8 tells us to not only act as children of God’s light, but also to be,

“Dressed up in faith, love, and the expectation of salvation.” (The Message) 

So therefore we, like him, wear a uniform that should quickly identify us as Christians… or you could say, as officers of God’s divine law of love. (see: James 2:8)

And then… consider all the equipment that most Police Officers wear nowadays.  I think back to watching the old Police procedural TV show ADAM 12… which showcased, what most experts at that time,* agreed to be one of the best equipped, most technologically advanced and organized Police Departments in the United States… and all the officers on the show carried on their person was a gun, handcuffs, a baton and a flashlight… without any means to communicate with their dispatch once away from their cruiser!

Well… that Sheriff’s Deputy had so much equipment attached to his bullet-proof vest, utility belt/holster and multipocketed pants… that I don’t know how he was able to walk… much less keep his pants up (I’m long wasted and have to deal with that problem!)  But obviously he did and was more than likely able to deal with the great multitude of fast happening situations that he could possibly face on a daily basis!

And again… we, as Christians, are also called to be equipped to handle the variety of physical, spiritual, mental, emotional, and financial situations that we walk into each day.  Don’t believe me?  Then grab your favorite Bible translation and turn to Ephesians 6:10-18 and read where Paul commands us to

“Put on all the armor that God supplies. In this way you can take a stand against the devil’s strategies.” (Ephesians 6:11 - God’s Word ©) 

So YES!  Think about all this the next time you walk or drive by a Police Officer who is protecting your community.  Are you putting on ALL the equipment that the Lord directs us to dress with… before you leave your home each and every day?

The way I see it… When the Lord looks at you and me… He sees us as the soft, gentle, humble and submissive individual like the Deputy who was taking lovingly to his wife… BUT on the other hand… The devil, who is the real enemy of our souls, swallows hard when he sees us coming - because all he sees is the uniform of God’s armor that we wear and with it… the inherent authority that we carry as Jesus’ brothers and sisters!  (see: Matthew 28:16-20 / Mark 16:14-20)

Pretty Cool… and powerfully LIFE-CHANGING… wouldn’t you agree! 

Have a wonderful rest of your weekend and a super-successful week ahead!

 

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam-12   - 1968-1975