Lulled to Complacency: Victory Series, Part 21b (Our Armour)
"With this in mind, be alert..." (Eph 6:18 NIV)
Besides being one of the most beautiful countries in the world, New Zealand used
to also be one of the safest (See
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/463793/top_5_safest_countries_in_the_world.html?cat=9
). People could walk the streets of Auckland at any time of day or night,
without running the risk of being molested or attacked, and one of the things I
had looked forward to in preparing our New Zealand trip was experiencing such
total safety!
On our way to Queenstown however, we stopped briefly in a quaint little village
named Mossburn, and here we found the first indications that New Zealand isn't
as safe as it used to be. A sign over the public restrooms indicated they would
be closed from 8:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., due to the threat of vandalism. There was
also a metal electrical box near the washrooms that had obviously been
vandalized.
Now this kind of decoration is really not my taste!
Since our return from New Zealand, I've been following their news stories
closely, and I'm saddened by the frequent reports of violence. For example, a
story owner in Manurewa was recently shot in the chest, his hands up in the air.
The shooter then left the store with a few cases of beer and some cash.
What happened to the utter peace that once reigned on this island? Why did they
feel the need to catch up with the rest of the world? Is it possible that they
let their guard down? Could they have unknowingly opened the doors to crime and
its consequences? Is it possible that they were lulled into complacency?
This can happen anywhere and with any of us. Especially in the spiritual realm.
How many of us are surprised when we are caught falling into temptation? A
voice, seemingly out of nowhere, dictates what to do. "Where did that come
from?" We wonder. But instead of running away, we listen to that evil voice,
allowing it to lead us to shame and guilt!
Why?
Because we were not on the alert! We didn't even realize we were even under
attack!
The only way to be prepared for this kind of temptation is to take the advice of
the apostle Paul seriously: "So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep,
but let us be alert and self-controlled." (1 Thess 5:6 NIV)
"We are on DEFCON 1 ! I repeat, we are on DEFCON 1!"
"I can't wait to defeat my enemy through the power bestowed on me from the Most
High!"
Let's keep eternity in sight and not be distracted by unfulfilling obsessions!
Rob Chaffart
