When I was about 12, I went through that stage of wanting to dress like a teenager. No longer wearing dresses with ruffles to church with the high socks. I desired to wear skirts and slacks like my friends. I was tall for my age and everyone thought I was 14, 15. I wanted to be “cool.” I remember receiving this purple ruffled dress that was SO poofy. It was a hand-me down. Ruffles on the sleeves and at the bottom. There are NO pictures of me in this dress because I hated it. And then the Sunday came when my mom made me wear it. It was the middle of summer…in Texas. When I tell you I wore a jacket ALL day, buttoned up…I wore my jacket all day buttoned up lol. I wasn’t as joyful on this day. I didn’t play with the other kids. I mean, I was burning up and didn’t want to pass out lol.
Looking at this tee and thinking back on this day, I was processing through how faith and fashion work together in our lives. I thought about what God requires us to wear. We had some funs saying at a summer camp I worked at (shoutout to Kids Across America):
“if it’s tight, it ain’t right.”
“If it’s low, it’s got to go.”
“If it’s short, we don’t sport.”
“If it’s see-through, go ahead and change boo.”
But beyond our physical appearance, what does God require us to wear? This caused me to focus on the full armor of God.
Ephesians 6:10-17 New International Version (NIV)10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
As I grow older, I am able to put more practicality to these pieces. Specifically, the shield of faith. In moments where I am burdened with anxiety about what’s happening and what is to come, I have challenged by God when he gently asks me, “Where is your faith?”
When I don’t want to neglect my comfort because I am afraid of failure, trying to move in my own strength…Where is your faith?
When my growth and ministry are hindered because of self-doubt and criticism…Where is your faith?
The flaming arrows of the evil one are very real and I am growing in understanding of how specifically they are catered to me and the internal things that I battle. With this understanding, I can practically use faith as my shield. My faith leads me to confidently seek God’s peace with I am feeling anxious. It causes me to recount the ways that he has been faithful to me and never abandoned me. My faith speaks truth into who I am as a child of God. My faith pushes me beyond my own comfort and challenges my complacency. Im so thankful for this protection.
What part of the armor has God highlighted to you recently? Share below.
Want this Tee?
I got this cool tee from Faith Plus Fashion. So check it out!
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