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Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people. (Ephesians 6:13-18)
Well, here I am packing for my MFA writing residency in Tacoma, Washington, at Pacific Lutheran College. For a couple weeks I will be “back in school” living in a dorm, walking the campus, and in classes from 8 to 5 everyday. It is an intensive residency. I feel ready. I’ve read most of my assigned readings, prepared my presentation, and gathered all my academic essentials, even paperclips and highlighters. I’ve sent some items like a air filter (for my lung issues), frying pan (to cook my allergy-free food), and a mattress pad (oh, the dorm-hard mattress and my older body!) to a friend in Seattle who will bring them with her. Note: her parents just happen to be dropping her off at campus with all her (and my) stuff; she said its like she’s 18 again.
Yes, I’ve overpacked, I always do. I somehow got it in my head early on in life to “always be prepared.” I don’t think my Girl Scout motto was anything like that—I just remember the song that went: “make new friends and keep the old, one is silver, the other gold.” But I’m always the one who has the sewing kit, the first aid kit, and extra toothpaste. Everyone who travels with me knows that if they need it I most likely will have it. And if I don’t on that trip, then sure enough you better bet I will pack it for the next one. After decades, you can only imagine what is in my luggage. But this time I have to bring linens and towels and blankets and pillows and of course my nebulizer, all sorts of charge chords and a desk lamp, too. And of course, the weather in Washington is between 50 and 90 right now, and changes every few days. So I have sweaters, and sleeveless shirts, a couple jackets and tank tops, short and jeans and everything in between. When I stand back and look at the pile in my guest room and the two suitcases it is all to fit in…well, hmmm. I’m not so sure it’s gonna happen. But I will try my best. Sit on the suitcases while I zip them if I have to.
Then, I think about the spiritual and psychological things I must also pack to get me through the next 14 days. Some confidence to assuage my natural anxieties; some added energy because I don’t tend to sleep well away from home; some solid memory to hold all the information that I will try to absorb from all the talented faculty (and not forget what I’ve read so far); an extra measure of health to avoid getting sick while away. But if I read Ephesians, I am reminded that in addition to the pounds of luggage I will carry with me, the self-talk I will do to boost my self-esteem, I need to continue to wear the most important outfit in the Northwest (and this world). The armor of God.
So I will don on the breastplate of righteousness, the buckle of truth, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit, and put on my feet —along with my comfy Birkenstocks—the readiness of God’s word and the Gospel of peace. Then there is prayer along the way for all things I encounter of need on my journey. A chance to talk with my creator and my savior.
And guess what? Although the armor of God does amazing things to protect us in the world that is oh-so-chaotic and feels unpredictably unsafe right now, it doesn’t feel heavy, it works in all kinds of weather, and doesn’t cost anything extra when you travel. Because the cost and the weight and the burden has already been paid by Jesus on the cross. And because of God’s promise and salvation in Christ, we can all be ready for anything no matter where we find ourselves or where we go in this life. The knowledge that God loves us, that God has defeated death, and still continues to protect us in all our comings and goings is the biggest confidence booster, the best anti-anxiety medication, our daily bread of extra strength and peace that passes all understanding.
So I will not forget to pack the armor of God, wear it everyday—with my sunscreen and shorts (or packable parka)—and I will definitely be the most prepared that I can be for my journey. So too, should you put on your armor and be prepared! Always and forever,
Amen!
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