Angi Aymond

A few weeks ago, I was sitting on the back porch with my second cup of coffee in hand. I was practicing His presence, poorly though, I must admit.

Struggling to resist distractions, I closed my eyes and committed to stay. Feeling the breeze, I acknowledged the Spirit within me, and my heart calmed. I lingered in that sweet place and finished my cup.

But too quick to get up, I tiptoed  to my hanging petunias to feel their weight. Yep. They felt a bit too light.

As I walked over to the garden hose, a snake slithered through the grass right at my toes! I let out a shriek but maintained my composure. He moved along, and I watered my petunias.

Later that day, I was in my front yard, stepping through the flower bed to pluck some weeds. I took one step and froze, remembering my morning guest.  Carefully, I continued. But I didn’t forget the possibility of an unwelcome slitherer.

Every morning since, my guard has been up. My awareness heightened.  Before that day, I’d go outside nearsighted and barefooted. Since then, I’m sure to pop in my contacts and slip on some shoes.

Over a month later, I’m still acutely aware that a snake could be in my yard. So I’m careful to look. Watch.

Oh, I’m not afraid. I don’t dread walking in my backyard. I still quite enjoy it. There’s a difference between living in fear of a snake and simply realizing that it’s a possibility he’s there because that’s how nature works.

So it is with the enemy of our hearts. He lurks. Always.

Yes, the enemy lurks. Waiting. Prowling. And too often, he walks right up and knocks on the front door. And he never looks like a snake.

Oh, he can look like whatever a broken heart might think it needs. Whatever a frustrated heart might leak. Whatever a selfish heart wants most. Whatever a rejected heart might believe. Whatever a proud heart might think he or she would never fall for.

Never let your pride rise up and tell you differently. It matters not how long you’ve been following Jesus. The enemy of your soul loves to wreak havoc in your life just for the fun of it. And if he can destroy you in the process, even better. His real goal is to get you to doubt the God who loves you. Doubt that God loves you and has your best interest at heart.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

1 PETER 5:8

Friends, we don’t have to dress for a daily snake hunt. But we’d better don more than contacts and Crocs if we want to be prepared to resist the enemy of our hearts.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

EPHESIANS 6

Spend time in His word. Practice His presence. Walk in His Spirit. Find a friend or two who can speak truth to you when you begin to believe the lies whispered or entertain the temptation dangled in front of you.

Friends, let us not live in fear, but in peace. Until the day we are in the fullness of His joy.