An Armor Bearer’s life

I just can’t shake this idea of living as armor bearers for each other, regardless of place, station or status. In spite of the fact that we may agree or disagree. Jesus did not ask “Are you Jewish?” before he healed or come along side someone. Think of the parable of the Samaritan, or the encounter with the Centurion, or the Samaritan woman. He didn’t ensure they had a faith in God or even agreed with His vision of life. Please hear, that I’m not suggesting that being a follower of Jesus, in all that it entails, is not an absolute, or that it didn’t matter to Jesus if people come to God or not. We know that Jesus’ whole existence and purpose was to point to and bring people in saving relationship with the Father. What I’m pointing out is that duty to serve, declare justice, or heal others was not conditional. He healed, defended and engaged in order that people might experience the presence of God, and in that experience of grace, mercy and compassion, their eyes may be opened to ‘see’ Him. He did this without comproming Truth or character. These created grace opportunities to both experience the LIGHT and hear the WORD of God.

I don’t think that we have an option of whether we want to be an armor bearer or not. As I read the Old Testament, and study the life of Christ – I am increasingly drawn to the reality, that to be a follower of Christ is to be an armor bearer. We must be looking to those about us; all around us. We need to be listening to the Spirit of God within and discerning how we are to come along side and hold the shield for another. Sometimes it’s holding the shield out front taking on the blows of the enemy, deflecting the arrows that would bring harm or kill. Other times it’s holding the shield to the rear. Attacks from behind can be devastating. The wounds and injury that are inflicted by ‘friendly fire’ can lead to death. We turn aside the arrows of gossip, or blocking the sword of ridicule and character assassination. An Armor bearer’s job can be a dangerous one. It means that by associating yourself with the one you’re defending, you yourself become a target.
I think of those who are around me, those who lead me, those whom follow me, those I lead with, and those I stand with. I want to be much more aware of how I can ‘hold the shield’ in each of these situations. For me it’s giving the gift of trust and faith to those who lead me. There have been times, when like the situation with Jonathan, I’m the armor bearer with the leader looking at what needs to be ‘attacked’. It seems kinda crazy to me, but the person who is leading needs to hear me to say “do all that is in your heart, turn yourself, I am here according to your desire”. I know that may sound naïve and old fashion to some. But I believe this is a call that God has placed upon me as a follower.

I think of how I need to be an armor bearer for those I lead. How do I come about them and protect them? How do I ensure that my actions and behaviours are building trust and faith? What shield do I need to hold up before and behind them? What barriers do I, as the leader, need to get out of their way so that they can fulfill their calling?

I think of those I lead with. How do I become an armor bearer for them? How do I help bring strength and be available for guidance as they lead? How do I protect and deflect swords and arrows for them?

I think of those whom I stand with, those whom God has called me to respond to Prov 31:8-9. How do I become an armor bearer for them – to protect, empower, remove barriers, and lend strength so they may experience victories?

Here’s another thing about armor bearing – it’s not a place of power or control, it’s a position of servant hood and humility. Of a willingness to be lead and let the other shine, and even gain the credit for the victory. It was not the armor bearer that is honoured in the victory, it is Jonathan. But for Jonathan to win, meant the armor bearer won too.

“Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God and He will exalt you --- in due time (1 Peter 5:6)”

In the home, or program you serve, how can you become armor bearers to those persons with disabilities, to those on your team, to your leader? How can you see them as the ‘warriors’? Who are the heroes and the ones fighting the battles? As an armor bearer, we are constantly asking “how am I empowering my warrior?” “Where do I need to be with the shield so they can wage the war?” “How can demonstrate to them my trust so they can draw strength and courage from me?”

In the role (regardless of position) you fill at a district or in the office, how can you fill the place of armor bearer for those around you? Every encounter, every situation is an opportunity to step up to the function of armor bearer, so that the warrior may be lifted up. If each of us is looking for this opportunity, everyone is a potential warrior, and everyone is an armor bearer.

Anyway, I was just thinking.
Neil