Are you ready for battle?

There they stood.
A family of five...
Husband and wife,
Oldest only son,
Middle daughter,
Youngest daughter
At the airport...

There was nothing striking about them. They looked fairly typical.
Dad was in jean shorts with a T-Shirt pulled tightly over his expanding waistline.
Mom wore outdated capris, sandals and a tightly fitted blouse that hung off of one shoulder and showed off her "muffin top" figure.
The son was clothed in jeans and a maroon T-shirt.
The oldest daughter was about 12 years old and dressed so plainly that I cannot even recall what she wore.
The youngest daughter was about 8 years old, adorned in flip flops, jeans and a pink T-shirt.

What made them stick out was the United States Army soldier dressed in his camouflage fatigues standing right in their midst with a large manila folder.

The  son was going off to boot camp.
He had just graduated from high school the week before.
The family was saying their "good-byes".
The son went to each family member and offered a hug.
Dad first...
Younger sister...
Youngest sister...
Mom for last... that hug lasted a little bit longer with a little bit tighter squeeze than the previous three...
When mom let go, her hands went quickly to her face to begin wiping the tears.

The family stood shoulder to shoulder watching the boy who would soon become a man.
They watched and strained their necks, stood on their tip toes and waved their hands until he had fully disappeared through security.

The son was going off to boot camp to become a man, a soldier, an ambassador of the United States of America.

I stood there watching and wondering if he was going to be okay.
I stood there watching and wondering what the family dynamics at home would become with the son's absence.
I stood there watching and wondering about a lot of things...

My iWitness...

In some of the "Old" church language which is no longer "politically correct" the Church on earth is referred to as the "Church Militant".
The "Church" in heaven is referred to as the "Church Triumphant."

And we are called "soldiers for Christ" battling against the evil one as members of the Lord's army.
There's even a children's song titled "I'm in the Lord's Army." (Can't even begin to tell you how many times I have sung it!!)

Do you think of yourself as a "soldier" in God's army?
Do you think of yourself as going off to battle each and every day with God as your field commander?

What battles will you face today at home, work and out in this world in which we live?

The apostle Paul had some strong words of counsel for those of us going off to "boot camp."

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ¹³ 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. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; ¹⁷ and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, ¹⁸ praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, ¹⁹ and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak." (Ephesians 6. 10-20)

Take a look at the armor one more time... There's six pieces of armor...

Do you notice what part of your body is not covered?

Your back!

Face the battles of today head on. Don't turn and run away from them because there is nothing to cover and protect your back.

Today... put on the whole armor of God and get ready for the battles you will face.
You are a soldier in the Lord's army... an Ambassador for the Lord Jesus Christ.

Semper Fi...

And that's my iWitness...
Laugh often and Fear not!
David!