Day 2: Tamar and Storm
Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil.
Ephesians 6:11 AMP
Scriptures: Ephesians 6:11, Genesis 38: 11-14, 19, 25-26; Revelations 19:7-8; Romans 11: 29
In reading the story of Tamar and Judah, Ephesians 6:11 came to mind. Tamar was a widow because of multiple men’s schemes. And Tamar came to mind as I was watching another woman who suffered from schemes and lies: Storm, also named Ororo.
Those two women were handing things too difficult for many to handle. Tamar, the loss of two husbands because they were sinful. Ororo was given a genetic mutation that gave her the powerful ability to influence (then control) the weather which had many people worship her and just as many people feared her. With these situations also came adversaries and expectations for them to uphold. They had loved ones to protect, they had been hurt/betrayed in their lives, and they both had lost so much.
In a perfect world, maybe the last thing on their or anyone’s mind when reading their stories would be how they look. But these two women are known particularly for certain fashion choices they have made. Storm rocked what I believed to be a cool but edgy and different Mohawk style for its time back in the day. Though it has made a reappearance in X-Men 97. Tamar is known for dressing herself up as a prostitute to assure herself in Judah’s lineage. Yet at the end of her story is called a righteous woman.
These women did wear those clothes, did certain things, made choices, and they kept going. At the end of their stories they are Tamar and Storm. Thought their adversaries and situations changed, they only grew more into who they were. They grew to accept and go forth in who they were and what they were given.
For Tamar, she is a widow. A widow that men schemed away the blessing of a child from. She made a plan to go forth and get what was promised to her.
For Storm, she is an omega level (super powerful) mutant who has lost many near and dear to her. A mutant that while powerful, has not forgotten how it feels to be helpless, afraid, and alone. She seeks to protect and ensure that others, powerful or not, mutant or not, remember that they can hope.
Despite the adversity, or the judgments they faced, these women went forth. They did not apologize for anything. They just continue to keep going and giving life with what they were given.
Now what does this have to do with God’s armor. Well, much like these women, God’s armor does not need to be changed. God’s armor is helping you, protecting you, as you grow into yourself.
If God is calling you to a situation, if He is saying He is with you, you have your armor. Like Storm and Tamar, go forth. Do what you must. Strap everything you need to on, and keep standing. God is with you. He believes in you. He gave you this armor, this gift, this situation, this calling, for a reason.
Not so you can mix and match it to what suits you, or so that you can save yourself. He gave you your armor so He can protect you from the wolves and lions who will devour you. All you have to do is put on all the armor God has given and stand.
Something Good 