In college I had a room mate and before we left the dorm room she would always call out “Belt Check!” It is something that has stayed with me and a term we still use in our family. The funny thing is that “belt check” doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with a belt.
When my room mate would shout out and say Belt Check we would cluster together in front of the full length mirror on the back of the dorm door. We would check that all was in order and as it should be from our hair to our shoes and all in between. We took a moment before exiting the dorm room to make sure we didn’t have any hair askew. We made sure our clothes were presentable with no mismatched buttons or random strings or stains. We took time to take in our appearance and make the decision that we were ready to leave the dorm room. Whether it was just going downstairs to the cafeteria, across campus to class or out to the movies my room mate always insisted on a “belt check”
Since those days the “belt check” has become more than just giving a once over to make sure everything is order with my appearance. It has extended for me to make sure that everything is in order with my heart and that I will be ready to face whatever is beyond that door. Satan is ready to take a swing at us at all times and in all moments. Whether we are ready or not, Satan will be. Will we be prepared and ready for him when he decides to take a swing at us?
The scripture from Ephesians about putting on the armor of God comes to mind. In elementary school we studied each piece of armor and even made them out of cardboard! The thing that had a great impact on me (other than your beautiful shield of the faith you made Kayla) was the object lesson we did with the orange in the pitcher of water. When you put an orange in the water pitcher with its peel on it floats. When you remove the peel it sinks and is also very easy to squeeze and damage. This illustration made it very clear how important it is to go out into the world with your armor on! It also clearly illustrates what can happen if we go out into the world unprepared.
Read the scripture below and remember all those important elements of your armor:
Ephesians 6: 10-20
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on 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. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Knowing God’s truth (belt) and holding to God’s righteousness (breastplate) as well as walking in peace (shoes) are essential for Christians. We must also take up a strong faith (shield). Our shield of faith is a great protection against Satan’s schemes. A shield of faith means knowing what you believe and stand for it. Do not waver! Along with that shield of faith you have the salvation of God (helmet) which is assurance that God has saved you from your sins. Finally walk boldly with the Spirit at your side (sword). All of these things are vital but just like a beautiful lamp sitting on a bedside that is never plugged in it can’t fully serve its purpose. We plug in with the power of prayer! All of these pieces of armor are activated if you will seek God through prayer.
Prayer reminds us who we are and gives us God’s perspective on life. We can know God’s truth and have accepted Jesus as our Savior but if we don’t activate these things through prayer in our daily life we are missing out on what God offers us.
There are days it feels the world is against us and we are alone in the world and our beliefs. Do not believe this lie! God is with us always and my prayer is God brings others alongside you in your college experience that also love Jesus and will help you deepen and strengthen your faith in God and God alone! Some days you will be the one needing words of encouragement and reminders to put on that armor. Other days you will be the one providing encouragement to friends and reminding them of what God offers them if they will just take it up!
Kayla, remember a “Belt Check” Before you leave your dorm say a prayer asking God to be with you and bless your day. Praise him for the blessings he bestows on you. Thank him for how he provides for you each day. Seek him with your struggles and anxious heart and let Him support you and guide you in your life.