December/Vision

Today I gird myself with a mighty power: invocation of the Trinity, belief in the Threeness, affirmation of the Oneness, in the Creator's presence.

  - Anonymous, Faeth Fiada (Irish, 8th century)

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh...

  - Romans 13.14

A "lorica" or "breastplate poem" was a prayer song used by many Celtic Christians to ready themselves for the day's work in the Lord. "Patrick's Breastplate" - our Faeth Fiada - is perhaps the best well known. In it the singer wraps himself up in the Lord and every spiritual resource he can think to invoke, to protect and steer him through any calamity or disaster he might conceivably encounter during any day.

The idea of being girded with God, clothed with the Lord Jesus, is, of course, very Biblical. The words from Romans, cited above, penetrated the heart of Augustine as he responded to a child's voice singing, "Take up and read, take up and read," and the Bible on his table fell open to Paul's exhortation.

You can't be clothed with the Lord and clothed with the desires of the flesh at the same time. But you can't be clothed with the Lord, either, if you don't have a good understanding of Him and how He works to engage, strengthen, and shelter our souls, and to transform our words and deeds so that they reflect the very image of King Jesus.

Songs like "Patrick's Breastplate" can be very helpful in building up an awareness of unseen things and a vision of how we may engage and benefit from them in our daily lives. The idea of "girding" involves calling on the Lord for His presence and protection, reaffirming one's faith daily, and walking in obedience to the calling and presence of the Lord in every situation. In this way the things we see can be affected by the things we don't see, and the vision we eagerly pursue of that unseen realm of glory can become the reality we know increasingly each day.

With what will you clothe yourself this day?

Today at The Fellowship of Ailbe

Evidently, some people don't have a very high regard for the pastoral ministry. Or for marriage, either. Today's ReVision wonders how we've come to such a state?

Thank you for your prayers and gifts to our ministry. As our work continues to grow we rejoice that many of you are standing with us. Please pray that we will be daily faithful in the work we've been given to do, and that God will use our efforts to bring revival, renewal, and awakening to His Church and our world.