Put on the Whole Armor of God.

How does falconry remind me of God? This is just one of the ways.

Preening.  Not Primping.  Preening.  Making Yourself Ready. The attached video is of my red-tailed hawk named Lazarus.

Red-tailed Hawks like other birds will spend time each day preening their feathers.  Notice how Lazarus will use his beak to straighten and clean his feathers.  Hawks have an oil gland at the base of their tail.  Lazarus will rub his beak on that oil gland and then spread that oil on his feathers as he preens.   The process cleans his feathers and resets them all so that each feather lays as it should.  He does this to maintain his feather health and readiness.  

Today we will go hunting again.  He is almost ready for battle.  He’s taken three squirrels in the past week.  He has shined his armor. His breastplate is ready.  His shins are shod. His talons are honed sharp ready for the kill.  Today the foe will flee at the sound of our approach.  By the grace of God we will prevail.

Likewise I need to be ready. Like Lazarus I need to spend time making sure my armor is shined and ready for battle.  My sword needs to be sharpened. The edge of it freshly honed by iron.  Because our battle is not with flesh and blood, but with the Rulers of the darkness that surrounds us. By the grace of God I will prevail against the evil one.

Ephesians 6: 10-17
“Finally, my brethren, Be Strong In The Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take upon you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”