"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
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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