Read: Ephesians 6:10-18

Beth Quick tells the following story:

“The devil was on the prowl one day, out to get the Christian. When he saw the Christian he shot one of his fiery darts and it struck the Christian in the chest. The Christian had on the breastplate of righteousness so he wasn't harmed. The devil shot at the Christian's head but that was protected by the helmet of salvation. The devil figured everyone has an Achilles' heel, so he shot at the Christian's feet that were shod with the gospel of peace so no harm was done. The Christian smirked and turned around to walk away. The devil fired an arrow into the Christian's wallet and killed him.”

The point is well taken.  We all have a point where our faith is vulnerable.  Ephesians 6:11 tells us to put on the whole armor of God, yet each of us has that weak point.  We think that our protection is “good enough,” instead of working to make it as strong as it can be.  That’s because we tend to get caught up in our own personal needs and desires, instead of focusing on the wonderful reality that we have been chosen to live in relationship to the creator of the universe.

Each of us experiences a beautiful moment where we commit to Christ.  But it must be followed by a time of working out our faith, daily surrendering to God’s control of our lives.  It is a lifetime process of choosing to obey the living Word of God and the leading of his Holy Spirit.

If that sounds like a really big challenge, it is.  Jesus didn’t come to make things easy, but to challenge us to live a radical new form of life.  But I’m going to suggest that by working on it a little at a time, we can make the task manageable.  In fact, I think it can be done by incorporating two simple steps into your daily life.

First, take a moment each day to ask yourself this question: What am I holding onto that keeps me from following Christ wholeheartedly?  And, of course, give yourself an honest answer.

Second, although it may seem obvious, take time to speak to Jesus every day in prayer.  In that way, you can break free of whatever your vulnerability may be and dare to follow him as a true disciple.  The good news is that he believes you can do it.