Steel-Toe Boots & Underoos, or f ( x ) = mx + b
Posted: September 1, 2012 Filed under: Art Journal, Behavior, Working Mom | Tags: armor, linear functions, religion, spirituality, steel toe, underoos 4 Comments »
All linear relationships with a positive slope are direct relationships.
I recently mentioned that our pastor has been doing a series on being BOLD, challenging us first and foremost to show our love for God by loving others, and then becoming BOLDER and going public with our faith. This takes different paths for everyone. I personally have a desire to do something large in the community, as I am concerned about the fact that being loving can just look like I’m nice. And really, everyone can be nice.
My curiosity was peaked when a wonderful dear friend from church shared something that she and her husband had just been motivated to do within our church, in community, to share the love of God. She and he are going to host a life group.
Then I asked, on our church’s FB page, what are some other examples of how those in our church are reaching out. Well, the response was awesome. And not only are lots of people reaching out, they want to do MORE!
What a beautiful thing!!
So the other day, as I was praying over being BOLD, I formatted some simple words in a lesson that I have heard (and stated) many times in the past (HERE, and HERE – all about leisure suits, lol) but constantly forget (yes, that is a common problem I have, thus my last post on reinventing discipline, lol).
And here is what I came up with:
The force of our boldness is in direct relation to the strength of our armor (His word and spirit).
Clearly I am only wearing steel-toed boots!!!
Hopefully before, but at least when I put on my Kevlar suit will I be willing to put my faith on my sleeve… (Note to self, don’t forget to read my bible tomorrow morning) 
And you can see on my journal entry, scanned in above, this is how I put it:
So if we are wearing steel-toed boots we won’t be as bold as if we were wearing a Kevlar body suit.
If BOLD Attitude is our willingness to PUT OUR FAITH on our sleeves
And Armor is our commitment to God’s word & the Holy Spirit
Therefore:
BOLD Attitude = Strength of our Armor
The FORCE of our BOLDNESS is in direct relation to the strength of our Armor!
Have a great day!
I’ve been really enjoying your blog since I started following you on twitter
I have a different perspective on this because I find that sometimes being BOLD means risking being hurt by others and God’s armor doesn’t always protect you fully from that (although of course He heals your heart as you bring it to Him). The level of my boldness is often based on the depth of my love for God and others. If I truly care about someone, I’ll do whatever I can to reach them, help them, care for them, and sometimes convict them. If I truly love deeply, I’ll be able to risk my own feelings, comfort, finances, possessions, and even safety to give them what they need. God chooses when He calms the storm and when He gives us peace in the midst of the storm.
Hey there! So happy to hear your voice here! I agree, being bold yourself does create a HUGE risk. Something I worry about in my own extended family dynamics all of the time. And I couldn’t move on most days without the peace He gives, lol. However, imho, even if I am not bold enough to preach everywhere to everyone, I do feel that if I were stronger in my faith, I wouldn’t worry about boldness, because the fear of the risk of pain wouldn’t be there. I think of the disciples leaving their families, and having them say, “What?? Are you INSANE??” lol… and I believe the reply of the disciples would be one of love and almost pity – not fear of recriminations (which I definitely worry about!!). So through prayer and bible reading I aspire to that kind of faith and commitment!
I would go even farther, Lori…our boldness is indeed related to the strength of our armor, but the strength of our armor is directly related to our holiness and, therefore, our devotion and communion with God. Strength results in boldness, but it doesn’t begin there.
Thanks so much for your comment on By This Still Hearth.
JoAnne, thank you so much for stopping to by and commenting! Yes, I agree with you – and by armor I mean our devotion and communion with God, which brings us our holiness. So I guess my analogy isn’t clear, but basically – if we read a little bible, and pray a little, its like trying on those boots: the boots don’t cover our body (or make us super bold)… but if we read and pray a lot, the Kevlar armor of God (Eph 6:10-11 covers us and we will have a bold response to life in His name! Have a Blessed day JoAnne! ~Lori