Ok, I love Switchfoot. Yes, “love” is the right word… had to think about that for a moment, but it’s true, I do; although, not in some weirdo groupie sort of way. It doesn’t matter what mood I’m in, I’m always in the mood for their music. The words of so many of the songs resonate with me. It’s often as though they peeked into my private journal and put a melody to my feelings.

Take for example, Meant to Live. There’s a line in there that says, “we want more than the wars of our fathers.” One day, while I was driving down the road, belting this tune to the top of my lungs (yes, I was alone), I actually thought about that line. At first glance, we might think this is one of those “make love, not war” sort of statements… and maybe that was the band’s intent, but that just doesn’t entirely fall in line with the rest of the song. The thought occurred to me that maybe the songwriter was referring to generational hang-ups, sins, and  issues that are passed down for the next generation to fight. Maybe it’s addiction… or abuse… or fear… or divorce… or anger… or hatred… or deceit… or unbelief… or gluttony… or selfishness… or passivity… or cowardice… or fill-in-the-blank….

So many people don’t even realize they are fighting the same spiritual war as their ancestors. All the more reason to put on the full armor of God:

The Whole Armor of God – Ephesians 6: 9-18(NKJV)

¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

¹⁴ Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; ¹⁸ praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—