Today I went on my usual morning jog. Well, it has felt usual since I moved to a new area a week ago. I woke up and headed out the door around 6:20 am. As I walked toward the park, my legs started to pick up speed as soon as I saw the path beginning.
But then, just 45 seconds in, I was suddenly greeted by a green snake chilling in the middle of the path, right near my foot. It took me about less than 2 seconds to process its presence – being shocked to find it there. In a slight panic, I ran faster and sidestepped the snake.
As I picked up speed, I couldn’t help but glance back, even though all of this happened in the span of just a few seconds. I checked to see if the snake had moved, and indeed, I saw it with its head lifted, looking up at me but remaining still. It’s true what they say: snakes will only attack if they feel threatened. While we know green snakes aren’t venomous, it was scary at the time. What made it terrifying was the suddenness of encountering something I feared when I least expected it.
This experience made me realize that many of us are spiritually asleep, just as I was up and running, but I was not fully awake and alert. I wasn’t expecting to see a snake; I assumed my jog would go just as it had the day before. However, life doesn’t always go as planned, and we should not expect each day to be the same.
In our walk with God, there is also someone else at work: the Devil. As Christians, we are reminded that the Devil prowls around like a lion.
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” – 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)
Today, I realized that if we don’t keep our eyes on what lies ahead and allow ourselves to become complacent, Satan will indeed try to throw us off track. Just like a prince in the movies practising with a sword, we must know the enemy’s tactics to defend ourselves. But what if we simply run through life, not paying attention to our steps and assuming today will be just like yesterday? That’s not good.
God calls us to be of sober mind, spiritually as well. It’s essential to remember the world we live in and the world God has waiting for us. Holding firmly to the Word is crucial; we must be alert to overcome the attacks of the enemy. One thing Satan loves is to catch us off guard, leading us astray by feeding us lies, and leading us off track. He knows the Bible better than many of us (myself included) but twists the truth [Luke 4:5-8]. However, the Bible equips us to stay on God’s path and to overcome our daily challenges.
I reflect and realise that I need to take the Word of God seriously and spiritually prepare myself for the daily battle. Satan wants to keep us comfortable in our lives, whether that comfort comes from wealth, a busy lifestyle, or something else. But if we aren’t comfortable, he will show up in our lives to tempt us, tell us lies, and make us doubt God.
While Satan works harder than we could imagine, God has an incredible plan of restoration that we all are a part of. If we hold on to this hope, He will lead us along the path of LIFE. But that path will not be easy – He never said it would be. However, He promised that we wouldn’t be alone in our struggles and that we can overcome everything [1 Corinthians 10:13].
So, let’s be aware of our surroundings and commit ourselves to God. He will guide us and lead us to the promised land.
God, You Amaze Me!
E
Luke 4:5-8 NIV
“The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours.”
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’””
1 Corinthians 10:13
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
