The first time I went skiing, I had a lot to learn. I didn’t know that slopes were rated green (easy), blue (intermediate), black (hard), and even double black diamond (experts only!). I also had a lot to pack! Imagine trying to ski without being dressed for it. Boots, skis, coats, gloves, wool socks, helmet, ski bib, thermals, goggles. It’s silly enough to hurl yourself down a snow-covered rock at a high rate of speed (at least for others), but how foolish would it be to do so without being properly equipped for the ride.
In the book of Galatians, we are told that we have been clothed with Christ. The moment you placed your faith in Him, He clothed you, equipped you with everything you need for this adventure called life. All the twists, turns and moguls that this world can throw at you are just part of the experience that helps prove that in Christ, you have what it takes to endure and to enjoy whatever mountain is in front of you. Sometimes life is the leisurely joy of skiing a green slope and taking it all in. Other times feel like speeding down a double black diamond wondering if you’re even going to survive it. And unlike the ski resort, there are no signs posted to let you know what’s coming. But you are ready. You are clothed with Christ. What slope are you on today? What do you need for it? Patience, joy, peace, love, forgiveness, strength? You are equipped! You have it because you have Jesus.
...seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.