They come, a little bewildered, some heralding children yapping at their ankles and running in circles, some almost newlyweds with blank-slate futures while others brave it alone. Obedient to God’s tap on the shoulder, sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s grip of the heart and passionate about the message of Christ’s gospel, they are willing to step over boundaries. Ready to become like children again, dependent on others, they will stumble and babble in unknown terrain for the sake of the gospel.
In the ministry my husband and I are involved in, we are humbled by partnership with overseas kingdom workers. We are privileged participants to Jesus’ moving in hearts fresh and new. In the process they arrive eager for instruction, but as happens, we often end up the learners. 
“Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” (Ephesians 6:13; NASB)
As a sending agency we strategize and plan, we look at what and how our global workers will endure. We consider past successes and failures, victories and defeats, and we work hard to give appropriate tools, as we should. As we must.
One of our candidates, reminded those of us who have already been, how the battle is won. I’d never connected the passage we taught from Ephesians with the story of David and Goliath, but he did. Once again, the teacher learns more than the student.
“And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:37; NASB)
These young eager faces, taking notes like their lives depend on it will face fierce opposition because their enemy is not flesh and blood.
“Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” (Ephesians 6:14-16; NASB.)
We tell them what we think they should know. We give them what we think they will need. We do our best to equip them well.
“Then Saul clothed David with his garments and put a bronze helmet on his head, and he clothed him with armor.” (1 Samuel 17:38; NASB)
“I feel heavy,” this student candidate said, novice in experience yet anticipating future warfare. “There is so much to learn and so much to know. I feel like David with too much armor, too many tools. I can’t carry them all.”
“David girded his sword over his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. So David said to Saul, “I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them.” And David took them off.” (1 Sam. 17:39; NASB)
And this new worker about to fling himself and his family into the battle, held up his sword, the Word of God, a reminder to us all.
“David put down the tools he didn’t need but took the essential because he knew victory belonged to God,” he said.
“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:17; NASB)
Oh my, I needed this lesson. How ripe we believers are in an age of ready information, to wear it like armor. Too often I equip myself with other people’s expertise, books, and really good input. I pile it on like dependable layers for the future, while my core trust in God weakens underneath like unexercised, untoned muscles.
Sometimes the more I learn, the heavier my armor, but like David, I can’t carry it all.
This go-er reminded his class where to place their trust.
The battle belongs to the Lord. His Word is the sword powerful to protect us and bring people to the truth of the gospel.
“Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” (Ephesians 6:13; NASB)
What’s your armor?
“And Saul said to David, “Go, and may the Lord be with you.” (1 Sam. 17:38; NASB)
J.D. Wininger
Amen Ms. Sylvia. Indeed, the battle is His ma’am; and He’s already won the victory. God’s blessings ma’am on this inspiring post. I love learning from fellow soldiers like you ma’am.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thanks J.D. I love the imagery of the armor in Ephesians. He really does have us covered literally! Praise God.
Marilyn Nutter
Thank you Sylvia. God has been reminding me in several ways about His wardrobe for me and your blog was one more. Depending on where we are and who we are with, we may need one piece more than another, but it is comforting to know we have full armor available for victory.
Sylvia Schroeder
Yes! So often those things we are taught are something we need to pick up in the future. I am so grateful God has given what we need for the moment!
Phyllis Hood Buckman
So. Needed. … Thank you.
Sylvia Schroeder
I’m so glad you found it helpful. I know it was a good reminder to me too!
Katherine Pasour
What an inspiring message, Sylvia. Sometimes I feel “heavy”, too! What a wonderful reminder that we only need what God provides as our equipment, not all the extra baggage we pick up. I’ve been a teacher my whole life (seems like), but I always learn from my students–sometimes the most valuable lessons.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you Katherine. I appreciate your comment as a teacher who is still learning!
Joanna Eccles
Thanks for sharing. I believe when we wear the whole armor of God, it won’t weigh us down. We can definitely be burdened by everyone else’s advice and the ways of the world. We keep seeking His protection.
Sylvia Schroeder
I agree 100%. God’s armor fits exactly right. The burden is in all the addition, helpful although it may be, and even useful someday, but the essential armor is always God’s. Thank you so very much for weighing in. Great comment!
Julie Lavender
I have always loved the verse, “The battle belongs to the Lord,” though I often think I need to “tell” my battle plan to the Lord, as if He might not have come up with that idea!! How dare I do such a crazy thing? Thank you for this reminder to trust God’s battle plan, not my own inadequate one!
Sylvia Schroeder
Thanks for that reminder because the battle truly does belong to the Lord. I also would like at times to conform His battle plans to my own! Thank you for sharing your thoughts!