The other day I saw the creepiest thing I’ve ever seen from my kitchen window. It had just rained and I was looking out of the window into the backyard. I noticed something moving on a large tree not far from the window and realized it was a huge snake slithering down the tree into the flowerbed. I immediately did what any decent city girl would do – I screamed! It didn’t take long for my sweet husband to get to the kitchen to see what I was screaming about. 
He immediately did what any real man would do – he ran outside to get a closer look. This snake was about 5 feet long and had been lurking high up in a tree by our patio, as if it were keeping an eye on us; and even though we’re not sure what type of snake it was, I’m sure it was deadly!
Seeing that creepy snake reminded us to be more careful when we’re working in the flowerbeds, to be cautious and keep our guard up. It also reminded me of a truth from Scripture. The Bible refers to the devil as a serpent, crafty and cunning, wanting to deceive us. Paul writes to the church in Corinth about this. In 1Corinthians11:3 he says “I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” As believers we must always guard our minds against the enemy’s attacks. We must guard our hearts from being led astray. In ministry we must be careful and cautious, staying aware of the enemy’s tactics. Don’t let church ministry become your primary focus. Our relationship with Jesus Christ, remaining and abiding in Him, should always be our primary focus and out of that devotion will come an outpouring to minister to others. Don’t get so busy in ministry that you forget about that slithering serpent, the devil, who desires to deceive. He wants to distract us, keep us so busy serving that we have no time to get into God’s Word and to pray. We may be tempted to replace sitting at the feet of Jesus with acts of service. That immediately opens us up for attack.
Over the years of being in the music ministry, I have noticed that whenever things are going smoothly and we begin to run on “auto-pilot” that the enemy finds a foothold and subtly begins to distract. The Bible warns against letting our guard down. Ephesians 6:11 says “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” We are in a battle and must stay alert at all times. Don’t let your guard down. Stay in God’s Word and feed on it daily, do what He says to do and keep short accounts on sin. Just as I will be careful and alert in my flowerbeds, watching for snakes, be careful and alert as you stand against the schemes of that slivering serpent.
Make the most of your journey!
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Vengeance is mine saeth the Lord, and a hedge of protection is mine too.
What happened with the snake, was it somebody’s lost pet or something, what state do you live in, was it indigenous to your state..
Amos .
Amen to the hedge of protection! Thank you for that reminder Don. And Amos, as far as what happened to the snake….I’ll just say my husband took care of it. It was indigenous to our state and apparently had set up a home in our yard and was raising a family. We’ve found several of it’s offspring in our yard also. haha! The saga continues….