Vacation Bible School is about to begin! Can you believe it? It’s been three years since we hosted VBS at Waverly UMC. As we have continued to offer in alternate years in partnership with the Christian Church, we should have hosted last year. Yet, the pandemic postponed our endeavor (very much like the Olympics). Alas, we can finally begin. Alas, we can start the fantastic journey. Alas, we can go on the much-anticipated quest for the King’s armor as we journey as Knights of North Castle.
This year’s VBS theme is based upon one of my favorite Scriptures – the Armor of God as found in Ephesians 6. So often we focus on the components of the armor found in verses 14-17: the belt of truth (v. 14), breastplate of righteousness (v. 14), sandals of peace (v. 15), shield of faith (v. 16), helmet of salvation (v, 17), and sword of the Spirit (v. 17). Yet, it is the opening line of this particular passage which I think provides us with the totality of the “whole armor” (v.11):
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power.”(Eph 6:10)
There are many times in life in which we feel weak, run down, incapable of withstanding the things that rise up in front of us. Yet, as Christians we have something that nothing else on earth can provide for us – our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus is the one who withstood all that the world could throw at him, and still rose in victory. Jesus is the one who was spit upon, beaten, and crucified, and still overcame even death. It is in his strength that we can stand up “against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil” (v. 12).
So, we invite you, over the course of this next week, consider what your armor looks like. Perhaps its time to take it off the shelf or out of the closet and get it ready for battle once again.
Pastor Steve
Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
(Eph 6:11-13).
All Scripture quotes are from the NRSV.