I have a closed in back porch. Unfortunately a few windows are missing. The other night I heard some rustling going on in the porch. At first I thought it was nothing, but when it persisted I decided to go check. Imagine my surprise when I looked out there and saw a drooling, angry possum! Having no more ferocious a weapon, I carried my plastic broomstick determined to scare him out. I tried to sweep him outside the back door, but due to the narrow terrain, he ran into me instead. I panicked, hoping to keep him from biting me, and kicked at him wildly, striking as quickly and often as possible. This only served to scare him into a hiding place farther from the door. Having lost the battle, I opened the door and left, hoping he would leave on his own. I didn’t know whether or not he left but not wanting to invite more creatures in, before I went to bed, I closed the door, hoping he had vanished.

The next morning I had to get some laundry from my back porch. Normally this would be done in shorts and a t-shirt, but since I was uncertain about the possum’s presence, I went in wearing shoes and long pants, just in case I need to kick again. As I creeped through the room, I found myself peering around each corner, carefully examining the area before moving on. I was extremely cautious. There was no way I was going to let myself get bit!

It amazes me how much care I take to avoid a small bite from an animal while I am so carefree about guarding my soul. Peter warns us that the Devil is prowling like a roaring Lion. Such knowledge should cause us to be alert, always looking for the danger. Yet most of the time we walk around without considering if we are prepared to face Satan. We make decisions on a whim, not considering whether or not the devil may be lurking there. And many times we travel without the armor of God, so when we do encounter Him we are woefully unprepared to defend ourselves. Satan wants to devour you. He is at war, hiding, ready to pounce. He is looking for any weakness you may have. We would do well to always be on guard, our mind focused on the danger.