Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada, the woman who wears a bandolier.
Maybe that’s an unfamiliar word to you. Well, it was to me until the other day. You see, when I leave work in the evening, my husband Ken always straps me into my wheelchair for the ride home in our van. Two big black straps crisscross my chest and snap on the back of my wheelchair – these chest straps which make like a big X over my chest keep me secure in my chair, as well as safe. Especially when I go down the ramp that winds from the second-floor to the first. Well, the other day I wheeled out of my office and made the turn onto the ramp to go downstairs. It passes our response department, and on this day, one of the coworkers in response (her name is Rebecca), she stopped me. And bless her heart, of all things, she commented on those two big black straps that were crisscrossing my chest. And this is what Rebecca said:
She told me, “Joni, first let me say that, as you know, I was raised on the mission field in Columbia where my parents were missionaries. We lived in a rural community that was in an area where rebel soldiers were trying to gain control. The Colombian military established a base nearby and the soldiers (who were called soldados) would regularly visit our community during the day and patrol at night. They were always dressed in camouflage uniforms and they carried their guns wherever they went. They were a constant reminder that we were in the middle of a civil war zone. Occasionally we saw them wear bandoliers (those were the belts filled with bullets that crisscrossed over their shoulders). And what I want to tell you is this: When I see your chest straps crisscrossed against you it reminds me of those bandoliers the soldiers wore. And just like the presence of those soldiers reminded us that we were in a war zone, every time I see you with your black chest straps on, I am reminded that we are in a spiritual battle. And you, dear Joni, you look armed to the hilt and ready for that war.”
Oh my goodness, I tell you, it was the sweetest thing Rebecca could have said to me, because you know what? I am armed; I am armed with the Word of God and the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness and the shield of faith. And if my chest straps, crisscrossing the front of me, (my bandoliers) remind others that I look like a 'soldaldo,' a soldier in Christ, then it’s “Onward Christian Soldiers” because I'm honored – oh, I’m honored – that Rebecca and others recognize that I want to be armed and ready with ammunition for this spiritual warfare. And so are you, friend. You are in the middle of a war between heaven and hell; a war for the souls of men and women; a war that keeps pushing the kingdom of God deep into enemy territory. So don’t let our adversary tell you that “There’s no war, there’s no spiritual battle around you, so relax, take it easy, turn on the TV, read a magazine, and just forget about me.” No, don’t fall for that. Ask God to help you to see the spiritual warfare going on around you and put on your armor every morning – the camouflage uniform and bandoliers described in Ephesians chapter 6.
Oh, and if you would like to see a photo of the kind of chest straps Ken harnesses me in whenever I drive to or from our headquarters at Joni and Friends, then take a minute to click on my radio page today at joniandfriends.org. I’ve posted a fun photo of me and my bandoliers that I think you’ll enjoy seeing. And may it remind you, too, to strap on your bandolier every day, ‘cause friend, bullets are flying and Jesus, the Captain of the Lord's Army, is calling you into action.
© Joni and Friends
Compliments of Joni and Friends
PO Box 3333 Agoura Hills, CA 91376