LIONS, LOLLY-GAGGING, AND LA-DI-DAH

 

My hubby will testify that I’m a real critter lover. He’s afraid to take me the zoo, or festivals, or a neighborhood walk, for fear that I’ll come home with a new fuzzy lovebug, be it cat, dog, goat, iguana ... okay, so the iguana isn’t fuzzy, but I’d gladly buy it a fuzzy sweater. And now I must guard against torpedoing the 10^th Commandment because our friends are going on African safari next month where they can have hands-on experiences with cheetas, elephants, and wildebeasts.

As much as I love to watch nature documentaries, the one thing I don’t handle well is the videos of one breed taking down another for food purposes. I see it in my own home, when I watch our cats stalk and demolish a cricket. I know, it’s nature, the way it’s supposed to be, survival of the fittest. But I’d much rather not witness this much reality. Yes, I am indeed a wimp.

And now you’re asking me, “and your point would be?” Here it is. Read 1 Peter 5:8 -- “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Now take a good look at the photo above, taken by me, on our deck a few winters ago. The birds had found some leftover kitty kibble and were having a heyday, as evidenced by the many wee birdie footprints. And if you look closely, you’ll spy with your little eye ... the single kitty paw print. Like the song that you can’t get out of your head, so this photo and verse should be stuck in your head, only for a better purpose.

The feline’s expertise is a picture of Satan’s. He takes advantage of the weak, the straggler, the unaware, the apathetic, the lolly-gagger. His grubby little footprints are all over Scripture for me to see as an example of his effect on those who weren’t paying attention when he snuck up on them for the physical, emotional and/or spiritual kill.

When believers are at their most vulnerable is when he strikes. Sometimes that vulnerability is from outside sources, like persecution, illness, etc. But vulnerability can also be the result of disobedience, pride, greed. “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life is not from the Father, but is from the world” (1 John 2:16)

Gracious Father, I know that, as Your child, I can never be taken from Your hand (John 10:28-29). But it is definitely up to me not to languish and “la-di-dah” through my days, assuming that because I’m Yours, that the diabolical one has lost interest. That would be the dumbest assumption I could make. You have lovingly provided me with Your armor, and Your insistence that I put it on, so that I “will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11-17). Furthermore, You have gifted me with “the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God.” Being aware does not mean living in fear, because You are with me always. And besides my little picture of critter footprints, the “big picture” is that Satan is not long for this world, because You, my Jesus, have already conquered Satan. How I look forward to being with You for all eternity, in a divinely Satan-free environment!

SAFETY NET



You know how it is when you bring home a fragile and shiny new baby?  Or in our case, it's more often a shiny new puppy or kitty.  The first thing you do is baby-proof the house.  Doesn't matter what it is, everything in the house is a potential disaster zone and you'll do everything possible to cover, soften, or replace any objects to keep your babe from doing harm to him/herself.  And sometimes, the thought creeps in, "how about encasing the babe in super-thick bubblewrap until adulthood?"  Even as a senior citizen, I consider wrapping myself in the bubbles because I'm still a klutz.

At any rate, while it's true that kids eventually understand that mom and dad are responsible for providing the obvious ... food, clothing, and housing ... kids are blissfully oblivious to everything else the folks do on a daily basis to ensure the kids' survival in the world.

I remember a long time ago, a very elderly lady at my church would occasionally ask me, "so what's the Lord been doing in your life this week?"  It's obvious in Scripture that He's responsible for my life and every breath (Acts 17:25), for every season (Genesis 8:22), for His great salvation (Titus 2:11).   But she wasn't asking me about the obvious, she was trying to spur me to think about the subtle ways He may be working. It's certainly good exercise for the soul.  And today, I read where God told Abimelech, "I also kept you from sinning against Me" (Genesis 20:6).

Just as children are unaware of how diligent parents work as their safety net, so am I oblivious to what my Father does on a daily basis for me by restraining me from the sin I could be indulging in.  I am so thankful that He did not give me over to my sinful self (Romans 1:24, 26, 28), but instead, has turned me to His glorious self.

There are not enough words to thank You, my gracious and merciful Father, for  being my "safety net" in ways I will never know.  And I am thankful that Your Spirit now prompts me to start each day by asking You to prevent me from sinning, not just against myself, but most importantly, against You.