Thursday, September 23, 2004
Equipped
Sandy Pittman went on an excursion to Mount Everest with a small group of people in 1996. Here’s what she took with her: two laptop computers, a video camera, two tape recorders, a CD-ROM, a printer, solar panels and batteries, and (yes!) an espresso machine. When she went to Antarctica she took with her, in the spirit of true adventure, a TV and a VCR. You think that maybe she could have gotten by with less?
Contrast her with the Austrian climber Thomas Bubendorfer. He climbs mountains without ropes. He calls such things “artificial security.” He specializes in “free solo climbing.” He has climbed a 10,000 foot high mountain face in a single day, with as little equipment as possible. You think he could stand to benefit by being outfitted with a bit more?
As Christians, we would do well to learn the principle of “not too much, but not too little” when it comes to being equipped to scale life’s mountains. If we insist that we need more equipment, when we don’t, then we may be left behind in the adventure God has called us to. If we try to get by without availing ourselves of the full outfit God has provided for us, it could mean tragedy.
We encounter many mountains in life. With each one, let’s ask ourselves: “What do I need to conquer this?” Nothing more, nothing less. So, in our relationships: “What am I lacking?” In our work: “What do I need?” In telling others about Christ: “How can I be equipped?” Not too much, but not too little. What is the primary equipment? The Bible tells us:
“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 that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith…Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:14-17
How do we put it on? Through prayer, every day. God has provided us with all the equipment we need. Not too much, but not too little. Now it’s up to us to put it on.
“All Scripture is…useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” II Timothy 3:16,17
Contrast her with the Austrian climber Thomas Bubendorfer. He climbs mountains without ropes. He calls such things “artificial security.” He specializes in “free solo climbing.” He has climbed a 10,000 foot high mountain face in a single day, with as little equipment as possible. You think he could stand to benefit by being outfitted with a bit more?
As Christians, we would do well to learn the principle of “not too much, but not too little” when it comes to being equipped to scale life’s mountains. If we insist that we need more equipment, when we don’t, then we may be left behind in the adventure God has called us to. If we try to get by without availing ourselves of the full outfit God has provided for us, it could mean tragedy.
We encounter many mountains in life. With each one, let’s ask ourselves: “What do I need to conquer this?” Nothing more, nothing less. So, in our relationships: “What am I lacking?” In our work: “What do I need?” In telling others about Christ: “How can I be equipped?” Not too much, but not too little. What is the primary equipment? The Bible tells us:
“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 that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith…Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:14-17
How do we put it on? Through prayer, every day. God has provided us with all the equipment we need. Not too much, but not too little. Now it’s up to us to put it on.
“All Scripture is…useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” II Timothy 3:16,17
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