Four Miles to Empty

One of my dear friends told me the other day that she was about 4 miles to empty. What a great way to describe how life’s circumstances sometimes make us feel. I know I struggle with an overwhelming sense of discouragement. I struggle with loneliness. I’m surrounded by family and friends that I love and love me, but my circumstances many times leave me feeling lonely… four miles to empty as my friend says. Do you ever feel that way?

Most mornings before school I have my children put on the armor of God. I have taught them about the armor since they were little, so they are pretty good at naming all the different parts. In Ephesians 6:11 it says to, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” I tell my children to remember they have it on each day, but do I really remember myself?

We have the helmet of salvation on that says we are children of God. We are God’s children and no matter what circumstances we have in life, our salvation cannot be taken from us.

  

We have the shield of faith. The shield of faith surrounds us, yet we question who God is and whether or not he is even there or cares. Our shield of faith tells us that God is right there with us IN COMPLETE CONTROL! 

We have our belt of truth which tells us not only are ALL His promises true but I tell my children the belt also means we need to be people of truth too. Sometimes the truth hurts but telling the truth is always better than a lie! 

We put on our breastplate of righteousness. Righteousness is defined in Webster’s dictionary as acting in accord with divine or moral law, free from guilt or sin. However, we are sinners and it is impossible for us to be righteous. That’s why we need Jesus! God looks at Jesus’s perfect righteousness when he looks at us and not our own. We are clothed in the righteousness of Jesus. In The Message version of the Bible, Romans 3:21-24 tells us “The God-setting-things-right that we read about has become Jesus-setting-things-right for us. And not only for us, but for everyone who believes in him. For there is no difference between us and them in this. Since we’ve compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we’re in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ.”

Last we put on my two favorite parts of the armor of God to teach my children, the sword of the spirit (the word of God)and the shoes of peace (gospel ready boots). We have God’s Word, the Bible, with us ALWAYS to fight against the ways of this world and circumstances in our life. That’s why it is so important to have God’s word hidden in our hearts because it will direct our mind, thoughts, and the words we speak to be focused on him. Finally we put on our gospel ready boots (or tennis shoes, sandals, flip-flops... as I tell my children:)) because whatever circumstances come our way we have on the shoes of peace because we have on the armor of God. Wherever we go today we represent Jesus Christ, in our words and in our actions, let each step we take glorify Him!  

In Ephesians 6:18, it says to “pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication." We have this armor but we need to remember to activate it with prayer. I always told my children it’s like going to the beach with sunscreen to protect you but never using it! My prayer for you is that today when you feel 4 miles to empty you will remember to put on the armor of God and know that you’re not alone He is right there with you!!!

Head to Toe (The Armor of God Song) by Christy Nockels

“Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting, you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.” Ephesians 6:13-18 MSG

Heart Eyes

Confession: I struggle with being self centered. 

I get so wrapped up in how my needs are going to be met and how my family‘s needs are going to be met. My lack of driving is fairly new, and I struggle with feeling completely dependent all the time. It is amazing how busy you will become making sure all three kids are taken care of as well as making doctors appointments and just life in general (like the grocery store and laundry:)) My reminders list has about 20 things on it each day. I get up really early to get ready for the day, but it’s crazy how fast the time flies and it is dinner time! I have heard many times that Satan likes to keep us busy and so focused on everything else besides God.

I was reading a devotional with my daughter last night and it talked about having heart eyes. It doesn’t mean following after our own heart. Our own heart is deceitful and can lead us astray. Heart eyes means having our eyes open to those around us...seeing others as Jesus does! We are God’s treasured possession. What do you do with treasure? You take care of it...good care of it! You always know where the treasure is and that it has everything it needs. God didn’t just create some people to be treasured; He created ALL people to be treasured! 

I don’t want to always be focused on myself and how my needs are going to be met. That’s where I have to learn to trust and lean on God and not my own understanding of the circumstances surrounding me. In Proverbs 3, it says:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding but in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. Be not wise in your own eyes, fear the Lord and turn away from evil."

I want to fear God and know that He is a good father... He loves my family much more than I do! After all He created them:)! I want to have “heart eyes” to focus on those around me. When someone else is always taking me to the grocery store or an appointment or my children’s school, I want to see them as the imago dei, or as the "image of God," and encourage or listen in any way I can. Every time I go to an appointment, do I see those around me? I don’t want to miss an opportunity that God has placed in my path or be unaware of those around me. I want to have heart eyes and my prayer for you is that you will too!

“For you were once darkness, but now you are the light in the Lord; live as children of light.” Ephesians 5:8

Brandon Heath "Give Me Your Eyes"