Bulletproof

Ephesians 6:10-11 (NRSV) “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

 

These past few weeks I have felt like I’ve needed to be armored up, spiritually speaking. From losing family to the transition, we call death, to suffering a car accident, where a truck trailer tore the front of my car up like a hungry kid at a food court, I feel the need to be “prepared” and braced for whatever challenges might come next.

The phrase, “wiles of the devil”, feels so appropriate because everything I have recently been through, as you too might also be experiencing, can very well be understood as something or someone that would challenge me, intending to throw me back from progressing.

It also doesn’t seem as though we are advancing as a nation anyway, although I still hold on to hope. For example, it seems as though every week there is a devastating mass shooting in America. I know such are evils many have sadly been direct victims of. So, being armored up or equipped, is not just to protect yourself from such evils. Paul says we should “stand against the wiles of the devil”, meaning we must take action against destructive things.

We must not let our world’s evils or our own devils to take us down. Paul’s words to the Ephesians might make more sense if I picture a bulletproof vest, to be relevant, ready to influence change, like in policies, addressing gun violence, and personal struggles. Even spiritually, I can see myself, bulletproof with a vest of love, hope, and inner peace that with such, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13, NRSV Bible)

Please remember this song with me:

“I’m bulletproof nothing to lose
//Fire away//
Ricochet, you take your aim
//Fire away//
//You shoot me down but I won’t fall, I am titanium//”

(performed by David Guetta Ft. Sia)