I have this little 4 year old daughter, who really is something. She changes princess gowns several times a day and uses more lipgloss than all of us put together. She speaks about Jesus and loves going to Bible study. A beauty inside and out. Yesterday was no different and she had on a beautiful costume. I told her, “You look just like a princess.” She responded with, “That’s because I am one!” And there you have it. She knows who she is and dresses accordingly. Sounds so simple if you are 4 doesn’t it?

I got a little bit of a taste of this princess experience a few weekends ago, when my husband and I went to a fundraiser that required cocktail attire. How fun! There is something about stepping out of your ordinary into something saved for the occasional. Jeans get old and Sunday outfits don’t express much. Because I know who I belong to, “the King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:16), it makes sense that I dress in a royal way. However, that isn’t always practical and serving my family in jeans is much easier. So, I’m thinking I will look at the other ways we can dress like daughters of the King.

The Bible talks about the things we put on. We can turn to the book of Proverbs and read about a woman where “strength and honor are her clothing” (Proverbs 31:25). I think these come in all our sizes and we should daily put them on. We can flip to Ephesians, a book I have been studying with an incredible group of women, and see lots of things we need to put on and never hang back up in our closet.

The man writing the book is named Paul and he says we are to “put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11) Paul then goes on to list out each piece of armor starting with “the belt of truth” (Ephesians 6:14). Today in our study we heard how truth is foundational. And guess what? There is only one unchanging truth and that is God’s Word. Once you get your truth in place, you put on “the breastplate of righteousness” (Ephesians 6:14). Sometimes Christians toss around words that not everybody knows exactly what they mean. Righteousness can be one of those words. Good ole Webster defines righteousness as “acting in accord with divine or moral law: free from guilt or sin”. Only the acceptance of the work of Christ on the cross covers us in righteousness. The thing that strikes me about a breastplate is that it covers your heart. Sounds extremely important, doesn’t it?

We keep going and Paul tells us what shoes we need to be wearing. He says “shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15). Shoes of peace that never go out of style. I wonder how people would react to us if when we stepped into a room, we brought peace? Next, we are to be holding “the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one” (Ephesians 6:16). If and when darts come a flying, you better believe I want to be carrying a shield to protect myself. It might seem like a rather large accessory, but trust me, faith is essential. On our heads we are to put on “the helmet of salvation” (Ephesians 6:17). Keep the truth of Christ saving you from your sin and eternal life as your future, firmly in place. Satan will come at you with his lies to make you doubt, but you keep reminding yourself of your salvation. The last piece is “the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). Your sword that can be used to defend and fight back against evil and all this changing world tries to throw at you. However, a word of caution. Don’t go around wielding your sword and hurting people. Its my experience that people captive in their sin don’t need a slash with a word from my sword.

So, back to my princess dress wearing daughter. We went outside yesterday to play and she was again dressed as royalty. She told me, “I’m ready for the ball”. She looked stunning in the sunlight. However, a wardrobe change happened during our play time. She ran inside and came out wearing a black top and black leggings. She had put her hair up in a knot on top of her head. Soon, she picked up a kid safe bow and arrow and took aim. The contrast in her appearance shocked me a bit, but what a picture! We too can be a princess always ready and engaged in the battle! Maybe we won’t be wearing a beautiful ball gown, but jeans become royal when they are worn by royalty.

*As I was typing this, Tony Evans sent out this tweet: “You have royal blood flowing through your veins. Hold your head up, you represent the King of Kings.” Amen!!