July 24, 2009
Playing Dress-Up
My son wore a Fedora when he was in high school. It really did look good on him, but I developed strong dislike for the hat because when he wore it his personality and mood changed...he was invincible. Similar to Zorro putting on his mask, a motorcyclist rider putting on black leathers or a young woman dressing in revealing clothing, there is a certain suggestive power that has us behaving like we dress. It’s no wonder Paul tells us to put on the armor of God. He knows when we’re fully dressed up were invincible against the devil and his schemes. (Eph 6:10-18)
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Gail;
-----I have always been fascinated by how well new insight can spring from two ideas crossing paths in the same frame of mind. Until May 28, my entire motorcycle safety procedure was to sharply watch for any possible hazard. I studied every intersection and driveway as I approached them; I scanned both shoulders of the road far ahead of me; any motion in possible striking distance would immediately catch my attention. I only imagined how hard an impact upon the pavement at cruising speed would be, and I thought the only defense was to be cautious. But that morning I learned that a deer sprinting from a blind was far quicker than my reactions. My imagination became experience. It was chilly, so I was wearing my leather leggings and a leather flight cap to stay warm. Since my flannel jacket served that purpose well enough, I didn’t even own a leather one. Where I bruised the bones of my forearms, I had road-rash. But I had none where I bruised my knees. The rash pattern on my leggings revealed that I had also gone left-seat to the pavement, yet I received not a scratch, mark, or twinge of pain there. And the scar on my flight cap shows where there is no a scar on my head. I was fortunate it was chilly out, otherwise I would not have had on any leather. For I thought caution was my only hope.
-----I have lived my Christian life the same way: watch carefully for any impending disaster, examining every intersection of thought and feeling, studying the thickets on both sides of my chosen paths, and carefully attending my responses to the circumstances that come at me. For I can only imagine the wreckage of my life caused by the strike of a blind-siding disaster, or the veer off the path occasioned by a sudden series of annoying events. Although I always protect my mind with the perspective of our eternal peace to come, shield myself with a strong faith in His mercy and the goodness of His will, keep my sword sharp and polished, and continually check my waistline to assure I am not outgrowing my trousers of truth, yet I do not buckle up my breastplate of righteousness snug and comfy. I also continually shod my feet with house slippers, limiting my gospel to the smooth sidewalks of life, rather than pulling on strong boots so I can traverse the wild terrain. Thus I defensively chop with the sword instead of caringly being gentle and surgical. And I go along my paths all namby-pamby watching for unforeseen disaster while doing many things I ought not.
-----Now that you have so wonderfully brought these two ideas of biker’s leathers and the armor of God into one context, to my shopping list of a leather jacket I am adding some beefier breastplate buckles. And I am going to start trying on some stronger boots, too. Thank you.
Love you all,
Steve Corey
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