I was sitting in my rocking chair, dreamily looking down the street, when I thought I saw some sort of a little Martian, a weapon in his hand, teetering around on unseasoned earth legs right off some UFO.
I got to my feet to get a better look, and I recognized two-year-old Dale, who lives about four doors down. In his hand was a pint-sized hockey stick, and what was making him move so oddly was his full hockey regalia. Helmet, shoulder pads under bulky sweatshirt, knee pads, padded shorts, and padded gloves. Everything that a hockey player wears, all scaled-down size—with the incongruous addition of a corner o a diaper protruding under his hockey pants!
This is hockey country (Canada). Any street, any school yard (ice not necessary), or packed ice arenas. There’s grave concern over possible injuries, and much is done to prevent such. Protective equipment is provided commensurate with risk of bodily damage.
The Bible warns about the real warfare that is going on, not in sports arenas – the spiritual kind. “Put on the whole armor of God . . .train up a child in the way he should go . . . . young man, cleanse your ways . . . remember now the creator in the days of your youth . . . your adversary . . . as a roaring lion . . ..”
There’s scant attention paid to this kind of danger, though movies such as Exorcist have scared many into frightened recognition. When a physical life is in danger, there is groundswell of concern and earnest prayer. But what about the spiritual danger, the eternal peril that faces every human being outside of Christ?
I believe that the Bible exhorts us to specific protective measures for specific areas of vulnerability—from the diaper stage on up. Let’s be concerned to give our children (or Sunday School class) the right gear as they grow up and move into heightening battles with the enemy of their souls.
“Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day . . . and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:13,17).
