Permission to be a Child (Warrior)

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12

There is a little girl inside of me who is always with me no matter how old I am. Sometimes she wears braids with her freckles and big front teeth (much like Laura Ingalls), but sometimes her red hair flows down in big curls formed on soft pink rollers worn on Saturday nights. She isn’t athletic, and she is afraid of storms. She wants to please everyone and desires to make the best grades in school. One of her favorite things to do is ride her bike despite the occasional wrecks resulting in skinned knees and busted lips. For the most part, she is happy. It’s strange this little girl is always with me. She lives deep down inside, and I know she’ll be with me even when I’m in my 80’s.

This is who I picture when I close my eyes and don my warrior armor. It’s not the shorter- haired, beginning to wrinkle, 47 year old woman I am today. It’s this skinny little girl. I see her with her helmet, breastplate, belt, protective shoes, shield held high, and sword in her left hand raised to the heavens. I see her twirling around in her armor. Her heart is light, she giggles, and her face is shining from within. (At least today; sometimes she is bruised and weary needing to climb into her Daddy’s lap.)

This scripture in Ephesians is one of the most essential verses for our daily walk, my friends. Oh that we might remember we aren’t fighting flesh and blood. Yet the one whom we fight isn’t greater than the one who has called us to the front lines.

I forget to put on my armor, and I confess that I’ve been guilty of being angry at God rather than the enemy who causes the strife in my life. How would my prayer life and purpose change if I remembered this vital truth? I am in a battle. I am on my Savior’s side, and He will not be defeated. He loves me and has given me the battle-dress. I must put it on.

So today, I put it on. I’m sure it’s symbolic that I put it on the little girl inside of my heart. Jesus said, “Unless you come as one of these (little children)….”

Maybe we should stop trying to be grown-ups. Come play dress-up with me today! Don your armor for the King no matter how small you feel. His armor is strong and powerful and protective. Raise the Sword of the Spirit! (Scripture.) Put on that helmet of salvation! Come as a child-warrior knowing that your King is the victor, yet He has called us to fight.

What does your child-warrior look like?

“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” (Ephesians 6:14-17)

ps. Scripture Calendar Challenge tomorrow!