Weekly Reflection – Helmet

My husband and I were walking earlier this week and three teenage boys on bikes whizzed past us, one of them yelling, “on your left.”

Shortly after, they got tangled up with one another and like dominos crashed about 20 feet in front of us. Two of the three went down pretty hard, with the worst taking a dive onto the concrete and sliding several feet face first before coming to a stop.

It is strange how the body and mind work when you witness an accident. Things slip into slow motion. I noticed the helmet, even as the boy was falling. I saw the helmet graze along the concrete, keeping the face and head slightly above the ground. I was immediately thankful. Even as he lay face down, I knew he was going to be alright, even with a broken wrist. Now, I am sure he didn’t start his day thinking he was going to be in a bike wreck so he needed to put on his helmet. No…the helmet was a habit and something he had probably been doing a very long time.

The incident reminded me of the helmet of salvation from scripture. Is it something you put on only when you are anticipating some kind of trouble/battle or is it to be worn at all times? I think the helmet of salvation is to be worn at all times, which takes some practice and conditioning. It isn’t always natural but it sure is helpful when you face-plant on the concrete.

How about for you? Have you ever been caught without your helmet? Forgotten the bigger picture of your salvation?

“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.” Ephesians 6:17-18