Thirteen years ago many of us were fighting to survive after horrendous natural events called “Katrina” and “Rita”. Hurricanes that will live in our memories forever. What armor could we put on to defend ourselves then and what can we use now to fight the battles within our selves? Can you imagine putting on this heavy armor to defend flaming arrows, slashing swords, flying rocks, etc.? It would be hard to put on this armor let alone fight in it. St Michaels Mount was defended by such guardsmen back in older times. Perhaps, instead of putting up a gallant fight, the stature was enough to intimidate anyone who tried to breach the castle walls. I suppose in earlier times, intimidation was one of the weapons used to ward off evil attempts to take over another’s possessions. The tidal island where St Michaels Mount was erected was a civil parish of the Christian Church and never intended to be a fortress but as most things even now, it seems, someone is always after what someone else possesses. Fighting against human enemies seems to be a matter of reality so I suppose armor like displayed at St Michaels Mount serves as a reminder that us humans are subject to violence by our very nature to preserve our selves and our earthly possessions. But, what if we put on a more efficient set of armor? This armor will defend us from self righteousness and possessiveness as well as other challenges in our lives? Perhaps, the challenge is recovery from natural disasters like hurricanes, fires, earthquakes, etc. What if we put on an armor that will defend us from forces of cosmic darkness and spiritual powers of evil.
“Therefore, pick up the full armor of God so that you can stand your ground on the evil day and after you have done everything possible, to still stand.” (Ephesians 6:13) The scripture continues to say to put on the belt of truth, breastplate of justice, shoes to spread good news of peace, shield of faith to ward off flaming arrows, helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit which is God’s word. Perhaps, wearing this armor will be more effective not only for the principalities of evil but our own battles within.
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