Armor...

For a long time, I've thought (subconsciously) that taking up the armor of God didn't really require anything of me. That all I had to do was claim the armor of God for myself or be comforted that He would protect me in all the ways it states in Ephesians 6. While God is my protector, I think that I've misunderstood this passage and only believed what I wanted to.

The christian life is far from easy; it takes a lot of commitment. Following what God asks of us isn't always a walk in the park. Honestly, sometimes, He asks us to do things we really just don't want to do. Enter human nature... we resist, we argue, we question, we give up. But as a child of God, even if we do mess up, it seems that we usually come to realize that His ways really are the best ways.

Sunset over a lake near my house.

So, what does this have to do with the armor of God? Well, lets take a look-see and read this passage for what it is...

"Finally be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil 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 firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication." -Ephesians 6:10-18

Maybe it's just me (and it very well could be, I tend to be a slow to catch on to things...), but when we're putting on the armor of God, we're putting on truth, righteousness, readiness, faith, salvation, the word and prayer. I don't know why it took this long for this passage to actually make sense to me. It seemed so abstract before. I had heard it so many times, I even memorized it for a play I was in, but it never clicked before. Anyways, I thought I would share some of my thoughts on here and what God's been teaching me lately. :)

There were so many beautiful sunflowers in North Dakota!

This past weekend, I got to go to North Dakota for a celebration of my two of my friends getting married! It was so much fun getting to share the day with them! I also got to road-trip across MN and ND with my friend, Chrissy, which was so much fun! We enjoyed it so much, we're taking another road trip this weekend to Chicago! (We pick the best places to road trip through... MN, ND and WI...) I'm applying for my visa on Monday morning. I would very much appreciate prayers for this as it can be difficult to get a visa to France.

I'm still in need of $590/month in support for the last 13 months of internship (The first 2 months are included in the set-up fund, which I have received 100% of!!!). If you're interested in becoming a monthly partner with me while I'm in France, please don't hesitate to contact me! Any one-time gifts will now go towards lowering the monthly total I still need to raise! Also, please be keeping me in your prayers! Thanks so much!

Chrissy and I by a French gratitude boxcar in ND.

Peace and Joy, Claire Faith