The Right Equipment

Have you ever taken a trip, but didn’t really plan for it? But when you arrive you find out that the weather is much different than you originally assumed? Now you’re in a rush to get to any store and find replacements to fit the season you are in. Or maybe you play on a team sport and in your rush to get to practice, you grabbed the wrong bag and now you don’t have the right gear for the practice of the day. It happens all the time. We sometimes lack the right equipment. It’s not uncommon in our faith walk either. We get so set on the goal and finishing things that we haven’t prepared ourselves for the road to come. In truth, we often haven’t prepared those who will come after us either. 
It’s hard to set down the road of life. Day in and day out doing the same job or routine. We often forget to teach someone along the way. To show them the ropes and give them the equipment necessary to continue the work. 
Within the life of the early church, Paul found himself in prison for preaching the gospel. So he spent his time writing and teaching churches and leaders the things they would need to know for the roads ahead. To the Ephesian church, Paul encouraged them to be equipped for the tough times ahead with the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 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, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:13-17 NIV). 
Having the right equipment is essential to getting the job done… Teaching those who come after us to bring it with them is just as important. You can’t get on the football field with the appropriate pads. You can’t play music without your instrument. And you can’t start your day without the things you will need for the day. The equipment we need in our faith is no different for us to be able to go out and spread the gospel. It’s the equipment to teach, train, and to make disciples for the kingdom of God. Paul knew and understood that. It’s something that we each need to learn as well and then begin to take steps to equip, not only ourselves, but the generations that follow so that you can take your stand when the time comes (Ephesians 6:11 NIV).