Pick Up Your Sword
Relentless.
Persistant.
Determined.
Dogged, creative, focused, not able to be redirected…what other terms can be found to describe a crawling 9-month-old chasing my pile of dirt as I sweep?
If I turn my back for a second or he makes his way around my legs before I can shift those legs to block him again, all is lost. He sits mid-pile and tosses all my hard work as far as he can, squealing his victory to laughing bystanders.
While performing this vigorous exercise the other day, my mind reflected on a few bouts with spiritual opposition our family had experienced lately. Elder Ronald A. Rasband has stated, “Brothers and sisters, we are at war with Satan for the souls of men.”
I believe it. Our enemy is relentless, persistent, determined, dogged, creative, focused, not able to be redirected, and he wants to undermine our hard work within our families. If there is goodness happening, there will be opposition against it.
President Dallin H. Oaks has said, “Perhaps…as we…grow in faith and obedience, Satan increases the strength of his opposition so we will continue to have “opposition in all things.”’
Self-made warriors patrol my home and property in the shape of small boys. Stick swords and toy weaponry have been stuffed into belt loops and shirts since they could walk. When Paul spoke of the armor of God in Ephesians 6:11–17 (also mentioned in Doctrine and Covenants 27:16–18), I picture him speaking directly to my sons.
Of the armor pieces mentioned, all are defensive and ONE is used to fight back.
Defense is important. When going to battle, one wouldn’t want to walk into the line of fire in joggers and a hoodie. Put on your armor! Lift up that shield of faith!
But one also wouldn’t want to face the enemy without the ability to progress in battle, to help your fellow soldiers, or to end the fight. Pick up your sword! “The sword of my Spirit, which I will pour out upon you, and my word which I reveal unto you.”(Doctrine and Covenants 27:18)
President Russell M. Nelson has stated, “…in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.”
In other words, fellow Christian Soldiers, let us pick up our swords “everyday, everyday, everyday”. (Peter M. Johnson, “Power to Overcome the Adversary”, Liahona, Nov. 2019)
Well, maybe I will wisen up and sweep the floor while my quadruped dirt thrower is sleeping. Just think, someday that sweet baby boy will grow up and read this parallel drawn from his innocent actions — -and then his mother is going to have some explaining to do!
