War

I'm sitting on a big rock in the creek bed. I've just finished reciting Acts chapter 1, 2, and 3. The birds chirps and trills, combined with the gurgling of the water, makes calming music.

But I'm alert. Tense. Thinking. Trying desperately to put the matter into words.

I caught a glimpse of a fierce war, the other day. Worse and far more serious than WWI or II. A fight to the death. It electrified my senses. Made me fear for my life, the lives of my family and freinds. Everyone's life.

Though I can't see it with my eyes, it is just as real as the Iraqi war, today. The battle is for my big brother's soul. My little sister's. My father's. The teenager walking down the street. Mine. Yours. Everybody's!

I already know which side will win. That was determined on the cross, when the champion of love died and rose again triumphant.

I know you've heard the story before. But wait! Listen! The defeated enemy continues to fight. Not in a frontal attack, but slyly. He's literally setting a trap for you, right now. Calculated to send you to hell right along with him. It's so well planned, nobody would ever guess. Satan sucks us in, with things we enjoy.

Dress. Food. TV. Movies. Music. Books. All of it.

Thing is, when he succeds in trapping us, he throws a blindfold over our eyes so that we cannot tell that we are lassoed; on the broad way; cruising to hell.

We cannot trust ourselves in this battle.

But there is hope. Jesus too, is fighting for each one. He doesnt use co-ercion or deceit. He wins with love. He offers a bright future.

How can we know a trap and avoid it? Jesus gave us a yardstick to measure things by.

"He that is not with me is against me..." Matthew 12:30

Does that book I want to read, exalt God and draw me nearer? If not -- it is the devil's trap. It's that simple.

There is no middle ground.

(Credits: Christella)