Holy Father, You hold up, and together, the magnificence of Your creation. Your creation reflects You. I am made in Your image and the natural world bellows Your beauty and the intricacies of Your character. You are evident everywhere—if I only open my eyes to see and my ears to hear.
A sunset boasts Your artful nature, painting the sky with oranges, yellows and pinks. The mountains reflect Your power, prowess and majesty. The sea projects Your endlessness, and its waves your steadfastness in that they never end, continuously crashing onto the shore.
What a stunner You are!
And I walk with You, of Your choosing. You gave me righteousness and salvation through Jesus. That is the confidence with which I walk. Ephesians 6:17 tells me that my helmet protects me, which seems so perfect in that it protects my head.
Huh, let me think about that for a moment. What’s in and on my head—my brain, necessary for my body to function; my mind, which dictates my actions; my eyes, with which I take in the world; my ears, which allow sounds and voices to be processed by my brain and influence my mind.
It then makes sense that I should protect the righteousness of my head with the body armor You so aptly describe in Ephesians 6:10-18. While my head is a small part of my body in proportion, it can lead me into some very dangerous situations. My mama always told me, “don’t walk down a dark alley unless you really have to. You never know what’s waiting there for you.”
Your Word clearly tells me “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” and “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
So much of what I get exposed to or expose myself to are not pure, lovely or admirable. Sometimes I have to walk down that dark alley, other times I choose to.
Your Word also instructs me to “guard my heart.” This reminds me of something else my mama always said, “who you hang out with is who you become. Where you put your focus and energy, leads your life.” She always told me to “dress for who I want to be.”
My mama’s sayings seem apt for the Christian journey. I think I’ll guard my heart by protecting my head.
Holy Spirit, please help me do this. Convict me when temptation comes calling. Reveal to me what I should be praying for. Lead me in seeking pure, admirable and lovely things. The change won’t be overnight, but neither did You create the world in one day.
I think the right path is to daily choose to walk with You—and allow You to lead me.
In the Holy and Righteous Name of Jesus I pray.
Amen.
