Caught Off Guard
Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up.
1 Peter 5:8 (the Message)
The Hawaiian Air National Guard fighters streaked away from our lumbering Boeing KC-135 tanker to run intercepts. High over the blue Pacific, our air-refueling mission complete, I turned the jet and headed for Honolulu. Our work done, my crew seemed exceptionally light-hearted. Our short-term rotation away from home was sweet duty indeed. And now, we were ready to play.
After a quick post-flight inspection, we loaded the car and headed off base. Within thirty minutes, we were watching crystal hued waves break onto rich, almond-colored sand. And I must admit, the bright island colors and calming sounds of birds and waves did not disappoint. The ocean’s steady growl increased as we walked barefoot over lush, green grass. As we neared the park's edge, we noticed not just the people roaming the serpentine coastline but a few brave souls bobbing far from shore. The ocean's temptation was too much though, and my three crewmates raced, then plunged, headlong into the surf. I, on the other hand, unloaded under a tall, skinny palm and soaked in the pleasure of a warm sun. What a life! Eventually, the heat drove me to peel off my shirt and join my friends.
I met them halfway as they came roaring up the sandy strip.
“The water’s great and the waves aren’t bad. You’re going to love it!”
“Yeah, give it a try.”
So I did. I turned and waved an exaggerated farewell as they grabbed their towels and flashed broad smiles.
The cold water hit my legs, then rose up above my knees. Before I knew it, I was waist deep and felt the strong pull of a wet vacuum. Strange! In the next moment, a wave rose up out of nowhere, lifted me off my feet and threw me under driving my head hard into the gritty-sand bottom.
The heavy weight pummeled me. I felt pinned then tumbled. Somehow, I escaped that cold, firm grasp and popped out of the shallows spitting and gasping for air—my hair full of wet sand. Over the noise of the pounding waves, I heard laughter—my friends were on their backs howling with delight and pointing at my misfortune.
I had been set up—caught unaware.
Now, I don’t want to compare my friends to the Devil, but he uses similar tactics. And frankly, we’re just too content basking in our little pleasure worlds. He lulls us into this complacency anyway he can, and we nonchalantly stick our toes into the water of flirting with the secretary, or maneuvering business or investment figures to favor our pockets, or stretching the truth or half-truth to make us look good. We yawn and stretch so happy with this napping state only to learn the truth of the old saying: You snooze, you loose.
Remember: playful deceptions are one thing; spiritual warfare ... that's for keeps!
Father, open our eyes to the dangers. Keep us close, safe from disaster. Amen.