I have an experiment for you to try. Are you ready?
Sit all the way back in a straight, hard chair with your feet flat on the ground in front of you. Now, without changing your position or using your hands, try to stand. Can you do it?
It’s impossible! In physics class, we learned about a little something called the “center of mass.” If you were to pick one point, the “average” spot of all of an object’s mass, that would be its center of mass. You see, the problem with the chair experiment is that if your center is not over your base, you can’t stand! A person’s center of mass is roughly where his/her belly button is, and unless you can get that point over your base (your feet), you’ll be stuck in your chair for all eternity!
I find that often the physical world can be a good analogy for how faith, life, and our walk with the LORD work. Ephesians 6:12-13 reads, “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.” You see, here too we find that when our base is not in the right place, we cannot stand. When we get distracted away from Christ, His blessings, and His Lordship in our lives, we faulter … and for good reason! There is a lot that wants to knock us down, and only He is our firm foundation.
What keeps you from having your base in the right place—being overworked, worrying about your kids, or maybe just that new TV show on Netflix? I’m guilty of letting each one of those distract me from my base, my faith, and my LORD. But God clothes us in armor for good reason. The belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, helmet of salvation, shoes of readiness given by the Gospel of peace, Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God, and shield of faith—this is not a set of fancy armor to bedazzle and showcase. This is battle-ready gear given to protect, guide, and prepare us to do the work God has given us to do and to bring us safely home.
May we pray for one another, that God would help us put on His whole armor every day, that we would never be distracted by fear, pride, or darkness, for He is our firm foundation. Thank you for your care, your support, and your prayers!
Miss Heidi Wilkinson,
Science Teacher