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June HeartBeat

By BRAD Hall

those of you who live in moderate climates, choosing riding gear may not be as difficult as it is for me. I know that wearing a full-face helmet, riding boots, armored / reinforced pants, armored / reinforced jackets, and abrasion-resistant gloves are essential to a safe sliding experience. Many riders have started wearing inflatable safety vests or jackets for safety. I even know some folks who ride in full-body leather suits with big ole skid pads on the elbows and knees and a brace behind the head. Let’ s be honest: once we are all geared up, we can look like Randy from the movie A Christmas Story. You know, the kid all bundled up for the snow.

Having said this, if we are honest with ourselves, we don’ t always choose to dress like this when we go riding. There are many reasons for this, such as comfort, convenience, cool looks, cost of gear, etc.

Living here in LA( Lower Alabama), I find myself making decisions on what I wear based on the ridiculous heat and humidity of the summer months. Sometimes, I find myself at a rally and throwing on a pair of tennis shoes and a shortsleeved shirt with a half-shell is just better for that quick ride down main street.

As I pondered this thought, I began to ask myself what safety gear( might I say armor) I am choosing to compromise for convenience, comfort, cost, or appearance. I hope you can see where I am going with this. Just like I decide to leave some of my protective gear at home, I may do the same with the Armor of God. Sometimes, even with God, I dress for the ride, not the slide.

“ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness 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”( Ephesians 6:10-13, NKJV).

I have heard many tell me that once you hear the horrifying noise of a face shield grinding down the pavement as you slide in a motorcycle accident, you will never wear a half helmet again. There are also countless stories of other accidents and the gear that saved or didn’ t save( due to lacking gear) body

parts. Brothers and sisters, we cannot neglect our spiritual life the way we often neglect our physical life out of convenience or cost. If you read beyond the referenced passage, you will see that we need daily to gird our waist, put on our breastplate( v14), shod our feet( v15), take our shield( v16), put our helmet on, remember our sword( v17), pray in the Spirit, and be watchful( v18).

I personally believe that this list is not a suggestion but a requirement to navigate the path of a student and follower of Jesus Christ. I know I don’ t always do this well, and I thank Jesus for grace and mercy as He picks me up after an accident that involves my not being fully armored in my protective gear. CMA

Brad and Shawna Hall oversee the Southeast Region as National Evangelist.