Abs of Steel with Glasses

Have you ever wondered why Clark Kent always took his glasses off before he turned into Superman? I hadn’t ever thought about it either until this last Saturday when I almost got sucker-punched.

Wellington, one of my spunky Juniors, wanted to wrestle. He feigned a punch to my gut and I said, “Go ahead. I have abs of steel!” I think that my gym visits might be going to my head because my abs of steel are buried under a healthy layer of blubber. I have improved my six-pack but it is far from chiseled. It looks more like a quarter of a keg.

Anyway, quick as a wink and with near lightening speed Wellington said, “Yeah but up here is made of glass!” as his poke went within a hair’s breadth of my glasses!

I belly-laughed. His rapid reflexes and wit had caught me by surprise. And what he said was so true and funny.

It was an excellent though brief lesson. I often prepare for an oncoming fray. I get ready, set and then “BLAM”! The proverbial punch comes from a totally different direction. The street-smart punk is always ready for the unexpected. Not to make the punk look good but he has to be alert for whatever comes his way. Why? Because anything goes in street-fighting.

The Devil is a street-fighter. He pulls no punches though they are often very subtle. His jabs are always damaging and he gloats over his victories. So, how can a soft-belly like me be protected? Of course the answer is found in Ephesians 6 where Paul describes the perfect protection. There it is called, “the Armor of God” (6.11). And interestingly enough Paul says that I need to put it on.

Though chapters and verses are not inspired it is interesting how Ephesians 6 begins. There is a short list of commands to: Children, fathers, slaves and masters and essentially the commands are the same: obey (children, slaves), don’t frustrate (parents, masters).

The outfitting is pretty simple so far isn’t it? Paul then addresses everybody by saying, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”

So, back to my original question, “How can a soft-belly like me be protected?” Or rather, “How can I be ‘strong in the Lord’?” It is easy for someone to say, “Be strong.” It is quite another thing to be strong.

Paul gives us the '”how-to” when he says, “Put on the whole armor of God”. Well there you have it. Sounds simple. But what IS the armor of God? Let’s take a further look tomorrow. Meanwhile, keep your guard up. Protect your abs… and your glasses!