Be Aware

The metallic grinding of the wheels made me look up from my book. I watched as the doors on the yellow school bus opened and children began to file out. There she was, coming down the steps. Then she stopped. On the last step, she stuck her head out and looked first left, then right, then left again and right again. Convinced it was safe, she hopped to the ground and began skipping to the car. We can learn so much from children and in that moment, I once again learned an invaluable lesson from my granddaughter. 

She was so careful, so aware of her surroundings, refusing to proceed until she knew it was safe. Do we do the same? I think that sometimes we go through life with blinders on, only seeing what is right in front of us, unaware of the danger lurking just to the right or left of us. Our enemy loves that we aren’t watching out for him as closely as we should. He wants us to forget all about him. God, however, wants us to be aware. He warns us about our enemy. He tells us that he is just waiting, prowling around us, looking for a chance to strike. Our lack of awareness, or unwillingness to accept just how real the danger is, serves only to make us vulnerable to his attacks. 

1 Peter 5:8-9a says: “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith…” Our enemy is always around, looking to devour us. It is up to us to be alert, and when he does strike, to resist him and stand firm in our faith. Like my granddaughter, peeking around the bus, looking not once, but twice to find any hint of danger, we must do the same. We need to look in all directions, under every rock, in every crevice, and around every corner. He’s there, we just need to be aware of him and his schemes. The danger is real, but our faith in Jesus is always the winner in any skirmish, as long as we are staying true to our faith. 

My granddaughter had been taught how to be careful and what to look for. She had the tools she needed to keep herself safe. In the Bible, we find the tools we need. God teaches us through His Word who He is, who the enemy is, and how to live victoriously. Reading the Bible gives us the knowledge we need and also strengthens our faith. Like my little granddaughter, we too have been given the teaching and the tools to stay safe from our enemy, and it’s up to us to use them. When we do, we’ll be able to resist and stand firm.