As years turn us from growing children into adolescents lauding how grown up we are, one scene is often forgotten. I speak of the tangible, and symbolic, process of learning how to ride our two wheeler bikes. Join me in a flashback to that precarious experience; and, together, let’s unwrap a deeper lesson than riding around the block. Be it eons ago or present day, to everyone, but those involved in this learning process, the scene is actually almost humorous.
The training wheels have been raised. The child is timid, yet yearning to master this longed for rite of passage. Mom stands in the grass beside the sidewalk with panic on her face and shouting cries of encouragement and confidence. Dad, with pride and certainty, grasps the back of the bike and runs behind to help balance his child and prevent a crash. Over and over, the scene repeats until practice makes not perfect, but sustainable, and the child, on their own, zooms off to complete their solo round the block venture.
In a nutshell, that’s the tangible. What about the symbolic? Its midst revolves around the message of control. Mankind, plain and simple, is fearful when sensing inability to control any force that might result in harm to them, their loved ones or the backyard of the world in which they live. For things to be well, we feel we must control any, and all, that brings the opposite. This might be human nature, but God calls us to rest in His Divine Nature. Every way you slice it, man can’t control anything. Only God has this power. Man was not created to control but to be able to handle, through God’s grace, what is out of our control. This is God’s powerful gift to mankind, if only we recognize and use it.
Every year, humans face flu season. We don’t panic. Why? Largely, because we have vaccines and medicines. How many of us have ever given thought to the fact that this is not controlling the yearly disease but, at best, only handling it? Our flu season security has falsely propped up the myth that within our hands lies the power of control. However, if we could control, then man would eliminate the flu. Instead, mankind handles this health disease relying on tools of medical science, overlooking the blessing, and necessity, of leaning on God to control assailants to our health — both physical and spiritual.
Total panic engulfs our Nation as we endure COVID-19. Why? Largely, because we have no vaccines or medicines to stop its deadly path. Tragically, we are fast running out of protective gear and machines to protect and keep our bodies breathing. I wish it were in my power to humanly produce these physical, life saving needs for everyone facing down this urgency. It isn’t. It is, none the less, within the power of my pencil to sound the reminder that the protective armor of God is at no shortage and waits for each and every one of us to put it on.
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 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. 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.” Ephesians 6:11-13 (ESV)
What we cannot control, the armor of God will enable us to handle. The way towards handling is to release the need to control into the Hands of God. Like the father who ran behind his child’s bike to keep it from going out of control until his child could handle the bike, God’s hands are on us and won’t let go whenever life’s challenges threaten to topple us. Continually, and no matter our specific needs, God clothes us in His protective care. Thus, as we search for, and ultimately discover, the ability to handle this pandemic, my prayer is that we each don our own personal protective gear — the armor of God.
“Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 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.” Ephesians 6:14-18 (ESV)
It bears keeping in mind that the best way to keep God’s armor around us is to take time to center ourselves in the Word of God, the Bible. When anxiety and fear encircles us, our strongest weapon is a straight line to the Bible and concentrated focus not on life’s triangles but on the Triangle of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
As a last, but not least, reflection, I leave you with this thought to always remember. When I, and you, handled our bicycles for that very first time, our Dads let go as we rode away and stood behind us with great pride and love. Before, during and after we learn to handle our ride through our earthly journey, (from childhood through Senior Citizen) God, our Father, steadfastly stands with the greatest of pride and love for us. However, God does not let go and stay behind. His hand remains on us, even when we ride away.
Uplifted in a Broken Down World 