Ephesians 6:10-20
Ray Pendleton
Be Prepared
The motto of the Boy Scouts in my youth was, “Be Prepared.” As young boys, we were rarely prepared for the sudden changes that took place on a camping trip or a hike. However, with each mistake there came an opportunity for learning how to be prepared for the same event the next time.
The Apostle Paul writing to the church at Ephesus gives this final note of encouragement to them and to us, “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”
This is such a contemporary note for all of us who bear the name Christian. God has equipped us with all that we need to face the battles of an increasingly godless and secular society. There is no need to despair about how difficult things are since we have the recognition that our battle is essentially a spiritual one and that the full armor of God is more than adequate for the day-to-day battle that we face.
The Roman soldiers were well equipped with footwear that enabled them to stay upright and move forward in any terrain. So it is for us, that the Gospel upon which we stand and which we live out day after day empowers us to make peace in a chaotic world. This is not a passive activity but a demonstration of how the gospel is transformational. We are protected as we follow our Lord in trusting obedience one step at a time, since that is the dimension of faithfulness that becomes our shield.
In this glorious season of Advent, we celebrate that we are privileged ambassadors of the King of Kings. And we are prepared.
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