It's always the Leap.

The leap of faith. I remember many times it was used. It is somewhat allegoric, but just might be a bit cliche. But still. It is well allegorized.

But maybe it isn't always a leap. (Don't just go screaming Sacrilege. I have a point.) Maybe it is more like a creepy bridge without handles. You can see the other side and the path. You can do it. That is, unless you're made of Uranium: The bridge snaps under your weight, and as you hit the ground you detonate in an epic reaction that eliminates all other sides of your journey! Translation: It fails meagerly and life continues undramatized.

Yeah, the leap makes sense, but that involves plunging headfirst into the unknown. The shaky bridge and the epic fall make a little more sense. Especially since all you would be falling into is water. But to you that water is full of radioactive piranhas. Which actually fuse together to become the loch ness monster. Even though you could see the bottom and have been drinking that same water.

Maybe there is a better allegory. One with less hypothetical danger. Like a mountain trail. But you need to have your Mission Trip Machete, because, you know, a Mountain Lion might try to maul you or something.

Shining your Armor

In Ephesians chapter Five, Paul presents us with a list of attributes that God has given to Christians so that we may get through our days, regardless of the stress of the days. I may be a little ADD in this, but I am certain this armor is supposed to be shiny.

Shininess is an attribute that allows for light to be shown without looking directly at it. If we truly want to show God's Glory throughout our lives, we need to shine our armor. Sure, if it is a little grimy it can still protect us, but our enemies will not have nearly as good of a view of the LORD if our armor is frosted over.

So, how do we shine our armor? First, take the time to do it. If we bog ourselves down, we will become tired and forget to do it. Save a day to maintain what the Lord has given you, a relationship. Also, continue to rest in Him, so that he might clean it through his glory. (aside: The temple was cleaned initially through God's Glory. He made everything shiny.)

I will also say this: The sword is a different animal altogether. It becomes shiny while it is being sharpened.  It isn't sharpened by resting, rest brings blades to rust. It is sharpened by being tested on flint, by being tested properly on the coarse stone. It is cleaned as it is used, shined in it's sheath. Never let it down, not for a day. Be ready, so that when battle calls, it will be with you, and able to be guided by it's spirit. Never let it go. Never.