Examining the Starfish

 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:10-12

Many of you have plans to visit the beach this week or in the coming weeks. While you're there, use a magnifying glass to examine a starfish. Use your senses to feel its rough texture. Notice the small star-shape on the very top. Now turn it over. See its mouth in the center? Tentacles run down the length of each arm or ray. On the tip of each arm, there are light sensors so the starfish can tell if it is light or dark. I doubt if we can actually see the light sensors in their hardened state. Just think, once this beautiful starfish was soft and pliable. It had no bones and pulled itself along over rocks and shells and anywhere it wanted to go. It wrapped itself around tightly closed shells and, with strong arms, pulled the shells apart for tasty morsels of clams, mussels, and other shellfish. Now it lies motionless on the beach or in a shell arrangement. Its strength is gone, its light sensors put out. Its part in the food chain of life is finished.

There was once a man whose strength was renowned. He pulled down the gate of a walled city. He killed a lion with his bare hands. He knew the Light of the World but he played in the edges of darkness. Playing on the edge of darkness cost Samson his strength and his sight. It cost him his ability to do great and mighty things for God. Samson was used to pull a mill. He was taken into a temple of a false god. He spread his feet and arms like the starfish and bowed his head. With a mighty prayer, he pulled down the columns of that temple and destroyed more of the enemies of God in his death than he had in his life. How much more could Samson have accomplished for God had he not entangled himself with friends who did not know God?

How often do we entangle ourselves with the things of this world? We choose friends that we think will make us popular but we fail to befriend those who would strengthen our spirit.  We busy ourselves with technology but forget to look into God’s Word. Our eyes are put out to the Truth. We play on the edge of darkness with the friends we choose and the things we allow in our minds through our eyes. Will we one day find ourselves hardened by the darkness, unable to affect the spiritual lives of the lost because we have lost our own spiritual lives?

Have you felt the struggle with the rulers of darkness? 

How do you equip yourself with the whole armor of God every day?

How can you affect the lives of others in our socially distanced capacities? It's not too late.

Blessings, 

Gail