The weather has been so nice, and so, like a bug drawn to a light, I have been drawn to the outdoors to do some yard work. A couple of days ago I mowed the grass for the first time this year. Actually, I mowed spots of grass. There were some long wisps of grass here and there that were begging to be mowed, and so I happily obliged.
Whenever I mow, my chickens follow the mower. They have learned that where there is mowing, there are bugs. The problem is that they are often so intent on gratifying their bellies, they are oblivious to the fact that the mower is headed right toward them. I have noticed that as they have become more and more used to the mower, they are less intimidated, and wait until the very last moment to get out of the way. Sometimes the mower brushes up against them before they move. Fortunately for them, I am watching out for them. I would never mow over them on purpose. While I do enjoy a good Chick Fil A meal, I would rather my chicken not get caught in a lawn mower blade.
While I may be looking out for my egg laying feathered friends, rest assured that Satan is not looking out for us. Satan wants us to become preoccupied with self-gratification. He uses every tactic, every ploy, and every tool at his disposal to lure us into sin.
Sometimes we don’t think any better than a chicken. Satan waves something enticing, and we inch towards it. Towards Satan. We move away from where we ought to be – just a little bit. Then we get used to where we are, and then he lures us a little bit more. We are so focused on getting what we want, that we don’t even realize how far we’ve drifted or where we are going. Then, before we know it, we are staring disaster right in the face.
There are folks who have been around the block a few times; who understand far too well Satan’s vices, and they offer godly wisdom gained from the school of hard knocks. Yet, we think we’ve got it all figured out, and don’t need anyone’s help, thank you very much. We would much rather learn the hard way.
The Scriptures give plenty of warnings, and we would do well to pay attention.
Luke 12:15: “And he said unto them, Take heed, and keep yourselves from all covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”
Luke 21:34: “But take heed to yourselves, lest haply your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day come on you suddenly as a snare:”
Colossians 2:8: “Take heed lest there shall be any one that maketh spoil of you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ:”
I Corinthians 10:12: “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”
Surely we can do better than chickens! The next time someone tries to warn you about something you are about to do, or a decision you are about to make, don’t be feather-brained! Heeding their advice just might save your neck…and more importantly, your soul.
