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Alert and Ready

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

Sleep had almost overtaken me when I heard thumping directly below. If I didn’t know what it was, I’d wake Nick and send him to investigate. But I did know. I knew because I listen to the same thing every single night. Reese, my calico, would situate her plump little body just so on the couch, and stare at the wall above. Why, you ask? For cars to pass by the house. The beams from the headlights shone onto our wall (that happened to hold several pictures), causing shadows to dance. It was a hunter’s play yard. Right after our family climbed the stairs for bed, she’d settle in, although she’s also been known to do it at four o’clock in the morning.

The interesting thing about this is that she would wait for several minutes, just watching. I’m talking beyond twenty minutes, in one position, staring at a blank wall. Not just staring, but focused and alert with her eyes wide and her body poised. When was the last time you’ve sat focused and still for that long? Me too! When finally the car came, she was ready. She’d jump up, aiming her paws directly at the shadows, hence knocking my pictures all around so they look like a messed-up jigsaw puzzle in the morning. After the car would leave, she’d resume her alert position.

Once I discovered what she did, I found myself fascinated by it. She had no idea when a car would come this way, but she was ready. We are warned in the Bible several times to watch, to be on our guard, alert. In Matthew 26:41 Jesus Himself says, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” This He said to his disciples when the fell asleep during His time of prayer in the garden. Peter warned the missionaries in the verse above, to be watchful. What were they watching for? The devil.

prowling lion

Does It Matter What We Think? “The flesh is weak.” The devil seeks people out to devour. How does he do this? Often it begins with our thoughts. He knows our flesh is weak. How easy is the temptation to gossip? Recently I’ve had the opportunity to gossip quite a bit, but I’ve had to pray (and pray) for God’s help. Sometimes we make excuses for our actions or we don’t see it for what it really is. Telling your boss a little white lie may seem harmless enough, but watch out. Those little white lies will eventually slip out easier and more frequently, in and outside of work. It’s hard, and people in Bible times knew that. That’s why they repeated the same message. I encourage you today to be alert, and be aware of those tiny places the enemy might sneak in without you even knowing and take over. Do you know already of an area you need to be watchful in? I’d love to hear!

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