Reclaiming Our Innocence

 

"We have all covered our light with many layers of armoring in the wake of pain....We can reclaim our innocence."  --Alan Cohen, "Daily Breath of Life"

Innocence of a newborn child

With seemingly so much more tragedy in the news lately it is very difficult for any caring person to not be affected emotionally and therefore psychologically.  Some may even be affected spiritually if they find themselves asking where was God when this or that tragedy happened.  When it gets to be overwhelming we could very well find ourselves putting on more armor to "protect" our psyche!  Unfortunately, it's too often not the kind of armor God would have us put on.  Human armor says:  hide your head in the sand, stop caring, run and hide, and for some, buy a gun.  

God's armor, however, is of a different kind.  In Ephesians 6:10-19 Paul writes:  

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil's schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed, and with your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition.  To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.

The way to reclaim our innocence, like a newborn babe, is to put our trust totally in God and not the devices of man.  By doing so, we are back in the "Garden of Eden" where the cares of the world do not touch us.  Our bodies, our loved ones, our possessions may fall prey to the consequences of this fallen world, but God will keep safe those souls who believe in Him and trust Him.

Once we receive God's armor of Salvation He uses the rest of His armor to protect us and guide us and use us in His service.  Through the daily awareness of His Presence in us His peace becomes the light we shine forth to lead those who do not know God to Him. 

Thank you Father for the reminder that I do not belong to this world.  Instead, I belong to You.

Link to scripture:  Romans 16:19

Take action:  Spiritual Warfare