The Armor of God this Veterans Day

By Marty McCarty, Vice President, Young Life Military

As those of us in the U.S. pause this November 11 to remember Veterans Day, we are mindful of our tradition of honoring those who have put on armor for our protection. This day is known by different names in different countries, however November 11 is a special day acknowledging the end of World War I and now commemorating what so many around the world have done to protect our freedoms. France, the U.K., Poland, Belgium and Serbia all pause on this day in remembrance. (Because Kenya received the news of the end of the war later, their day of remembrance is two weeks after.)

In Ephesians 6:10-17, Paul encourages all of us to “put on the full armor of God.” It is no accident that Paul proceeds to use military terms to describe a life of faith. He shares that following Jesus is a spiritual battle, “so that when the day of evil comes, you may stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

Each of the pieces of armor that Paul instructs us to put on prepares us for spiritual battle. We are told to put on the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness. We need to fit our feet with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Then we must take up the shield of faith and put on the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit. As we do this we are encouraged to stand firm.

I encourage you to pause today, remember that there is a bigger spiritual battle going on and realize how important it is to put on our full armor of God in our daily life. Also pause and remember those who have put on their physical “armor” to protect individual freedoms around the world for centuries.

We are thankful to our U.S. military veterans and their families. Please join us in praying for them as both the service member and family pay a price for a life of military service. In Young Life Military (known as “Club Beyond” to our teens), we reach out to U.S. military teens and walk alongside them, sharing the life Jesus calls them to in example and word. If you want more information about Young Life Military you can reach out to me.

Young Life is a Christian Ministry that reaches out to middle school, high school, and college students in all 50 of the United States and in more than 100 countries around the world.