I had an all-of-a-sudden snake encounter yesterday. Don’t you hate those?! Thankfully, I was in my car. My reaction was just the same, though—very girlish. The snake was camouflaged. By the time I saw it and realized what it was, there was no time to be strategic. So, I kept driving, cringing at the thought of running over it. Surprisingly, I straddled it—I mean, I’m pretty sure my eyes were shut and I know I was squealing. After the chills went away, I noticed there was a hawk flying above me. I knew in that moment everything was going to be okay and that the circle of life continues.
This encounter did catch my attention and has stayed with me. I’m learning to ask the Lord about these types of moments in a day—just in case he’s trying say something. As I prayed, the phrase “straddling deception” came to mind. I do believe in this case the Lord was speaking or used this encounter to speak. Here are the two things I walked away with:
- One, It is pointless to waver between to ends of deception. They are both lies.
- Two, it is dangerous not to recognize deception. It will steal your time, your focus, your emotions, and other valuable resources.
I’m asking what this word means for me—that the places of deception and wavering in my life would be exposed and cut off by the word of God. But, it is such a good / protective word that I wanted to share it with you.
Earlier yesterday morning (before the snake), I was reading in Ephesians about the armor of God. I made a note in my Bible about the first piece of armor listed is the belt of truth. Interesting, right? I don’t know about you, but I’m finding the necessity for truth and God’s standard to be more important now then it has always been. Recognizing truth and having faith to walk in it has to be a resolve in our hearts as disciples of Christ. I don’t want to be caught straddling deception—treating it like it’s something real.
Spirit of truth, lead us into all truth!
Brave Sparrow 