Slaying Shadows with God’s Armor~Part 1

Hello lovely readers and followers! Today I’m launching a new series called Slaying Shadows with God’s Armor. This series will be focusing on all 6 attributes of the armor of God listed in Ephesians 6:10-18. I hope you enjoy! 

Madeline swallowed back the lump in her throat as she ran her hands through her dark, sweaty locks.

She had been practicing for hours, on that old dusty laminate floor–turning and leaping to try and master every single move. She knew she never would, but that didn’t matter. It was a ballerina’s curse.

She finally gave in, her stomach crying out for nourishment. When was her last meal? She stood up trembling, realizing that both appetite and sleep were hard to come by these days.

As she left the desolate studio, Madeline just couldn’t shake the feeling of a shadow following her out the door. It was always there, oppressing her soul with fear and throwing off every turn or step she took. Life was a dance, and she just couldn’t find her rhythm.

By the time Madeline parked her car and made it up the stairs to her apartment, her feet were killing her. She could barely move her toes, as pointe shoes had a way of melting them together into a blistering fury.

She was so preoccupied by her aching feet that she barely noticed the small box in front of her door. It caught the corner of her eye, like a ray of light breaking up the shadows.

“What?” Madeline picked up the box, scrutinizing it as she entered her apartment. Christmas was a month ago, and she didn’t really have any friends to drop off a surprise gift.

When Madeline sat on her sofa and turned on a lamp, she noticed the piece of paper taped to the box. Taking it eagerly into her delicate hand, Madeline read aloud.

My dear Madeline,

I know you’ve been weary lately. Life can be so hard and confusing. I hope this gift takes some pressure off of you. Remember that whenever life becomes too much, you can always call on My name. My burden is light enough for you to dance through. Take this armor and have courage. 

Love, Jesus.

Madeline blinked as she dropped the paper. Was this a joke? She didn’t come from a religious family, and her dance academy didn’t exactly boast many devout Christians.

Take this armor and have courage. She didn’t know what the letter meant, but receiving a box that claimed to hold God’s armor peaked her curiosity.

Madeline sighed and opened the box. When she saw the pair of powder pink suede boots, her breath caught.

“No way,” she mused as she slipped them on her feet. The moment she stood and her soles hit the bottom, Madeline felt relief flood her body. The pain in her feet instantly vanished, as well as the hunger and fatigue.

They fit perfectly.

“Whoa.” Madeline couldn’t help but grin. Without another thought, she grabbed her jacket and ran outside.

The parking lot of the apartment complex was dark, the winter moon tucked beneath a blanket of clouds. Madeline didn’t care. She giggled like a child as she swayed and turned, using the blanket of snow beneath her feet to give her leverage as she spun like a figurine.

There was no pain. No fear. No stress.

Only freedom. Only peace.

When she finally stopped dancing, Madeline looked out over the snow glazed parking lot. Although her world was dark and silent, every single footprint she had left behind shimmered like a light, casting away any shadow that had surrounded her.

Madeline gasped as she saw what was etched into the snow print of each step. She raised her foot to examine the bottom of her new boot. Sure enough, engraved into its sole was one word.

“Jesus,” Madeline exhaled as the fog rolled out of her mouth. She didn’t understand much about God, and at this point, she didn’t have to. All she knew was that she needed this Jesus, and she would do anything to find Him.

Madeline turned to head toward her car, but then stopped when she noticed the figure standing near the curb. A low male voice echoed across the lot.

“Looking for something?”

…and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. (Ephesians 6:15 NIV). 

Thanks for reading and supporting! What do you think of the series so far? Click here for Part 2 of Slaying Shadows with God’s Armor!

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Slaying Shadows with God’s Armor is written by Emily Susanne at fearfullywonderfullyme.com, 2017 © No part of this content may be copied or shared unless given permission by the author and linked back to this web address. However, you are encouraged to share the link to this post as well as all other posts!