My husband and I went out to dinner this evening with our son, his wife, and our two-year-old granddaughter, Bella. Throughout this busy Sunday, she hadn't eaten very much at breakfast or lunch, which sometimes happens when other things have her attention. However, when her macaroni and cheese arrived at the table, she made up for lost time! She wielded that adult-sized fork like a pro, only occasionally dropping a piece of macaroni onto her shirt. She polished off the entire serving plus a good-sized helping of fried apples.
Because her self-feeding skills have improved so much, the rest of us were able to enjoy our meals without having to stop and spoon-feed her. In fact, if we had tried to feed her, she would have said, "I do it!" She likes to demonstrate her growing skills and her independence in the things that she can handle.
My pastor was preaching this morning using the example of the children of Israel. God delivered them from Egyptian slavery and His plan was to lead them to a land of "milk and honey", but taking that land meant that they had to fight for it under His leading and with His help. The sermon continued to explain how we can't just sit back passively and expect God to just deliver His promises to us, but that we have a responsibility to pick up the sword of the Spirit and fight to attain the promise of God.
Ephesians 6:14-17 talks about putting on the whole armor of God. The only people who have historically needed armor are those who are soldiers - those who fight. These verses tell us: "Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace, above all,taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God......"
What I have learned is that you can't take up the sword of the Spirit if you don't know the Word and you won't know the Word unless you pick up the Word and you won't pick up the Word if you don't make it a priority in your life. Even if you go to church every Sunday of your life, the little bit of God's Word that you hear through your pastor is not enough to sustain you. Even little Bella understands that she has the ability, the right, and the joy of feeding herself. How much more do we need to learn to feed on the scriptures for ourselves in addition to what we hear at church?
"But Jan, I just don't understand the Bible when I try to read it. It just seems so confusing." Newsflash! - I don't understand everything in the Bible either, but that doesn't mean that I can understand nothing. There are all sorts of resources and people who will help you learn the Word - online resources, videos, Bible study books, small groups at your church, mentors and many versions of the Bible that aid in breaking down scripture to help your understanding. Besides, we have the best teacher of the Word - the Holy Spirit - if we will listen to His voice and ask for His help.
My husband and I have recently discovered an online Bible study that we have embarked on together. It goes back to the very basics of doctrine, but it's helping us to strengthen the knowledge and foundations of why we believe what we believe.
Wherever you are in your relationship with God, you need His Word. I encourage you to find the tools you need to feed yourself. You can't fight with a weapon you don't hold.
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