Stand Firm
I have seen this picture a few times and I have always been drawn to it. I do not know where this lighthouse is located. I imagine it may be somewhere in the North Sea with frigid temperatures and overwhelming winds. The sheer power of the ocean storm is humbling and even a little frightening. If you look closely, you can see a yellow character in the doorway of the lighthouse. He stands inside the lighthouse with the doorway on the opposite side of the storm. He is still. He is not panicking. He almost looks as if he is leaning against the doorway as if to imply, he has been in these storms before. I do not see any connection from the lighthouse to a land mass. I imagine this is out in the sea. Standing alone. Standing firm.
One reality that we all come to accept is that the storms will always come. No one escapes the truth that we will at some point or at many points in our lives feel like the lighthouse. We will find ourselves at some point deep in the sea with the waves of disappointment, tragedy, grief, and loss crashing over us, wanting to tackle us over. For the Christ follower, we live in a spiritual battle between the power of God and the forces of evil. The evil one has only one objective:
John 10:10a “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy…” NASB
The battle is heavily one sided. The power of God is immensely greater than the limited influence of the evil one. Satan will not have the last word. God wins for all eternity. However, Satan will try to discourage and destroy His work in our lives and this world. Make no mistake, we are targets to his schemes and efforts to minimize and kill the work of God in and through us.
Paul reminds us of this in Ephesians 6 as he encourages us to stand firm. The days are evil, and we are vulnerable when we neglect to daily rely on the power of God. We become vulnerable to discouragement, doubts, timidity, and fear. And the work of God within us becomes diminished.
One piece of armor in this battle is the breastplate of righteousness. The breastplate is a soldier’s protection of their most vital organs. Their heart. Their lungs and more. Injury to these parts of our bodies would be lethal. Paul is telling us to cover the vital parts of our spiritual lives with righteousness. Righteousness involves living a life in the righteousness of God. We are called to live holy lives. Lives that reflect the holiness of God. God’s holiness is revealed in His love, His justice, His mercy, and His perfection. Having been made righteous by the Jesus’ sacrifice, we are called to live that same way. When we do, we can stand firm against the lies of the evil one. We cannot resist the evil one’s schemes when we choose to live lives not reflective of God’s holiness.
How is this possible? We are not yet perfected. We still struggle with sin. We do not always do what we know is right. We do not always resist temptation. For that reason, we walk in the righteousness of Jesus. He cleanses us from sin. Daily. Moment to moment when we fail. We will not live perfect lives here on earth, but we are to let God continually transform us into more and more of His likeness. Though we may not be perfect, we can choose daily to live more like God. Our words can be more gracious and truthful. Our attitudes can be more loving and patient. Our work can be more excellent and filled with justice. Our generosity can be more extravagant and unbiased. Our disciplines can be more faithful and consistent. All these ways of living in righteousness will be our breastplate to protect us against the evil one.
Look again at the lighthouse. See the lighthouse keeper. He is not afraid of the waves or the storm. He is secure as we can be secure in the One who is greater than the storm. By living in His righteousness, we stand firm. We are His light. We are His.
Mary Quillin is a city-girl-turned-country-girl in her new life in North Dakota. She has been married to her hubby for 16 years and has 3 wonderfully, different kids who have begun their teen years (and she would appreciate all the prayers as possible on that note). After many years in full time ministry, Mary is learning how to show up and daily discover the journey of being available for whatever Jesus leads her to. She spends her days trying to build a welcoming shabby chic home in the heartland of North Dakota while learning to write and run.