Like a Roaring Lion

In the Bible we often hear different things about the figure commonly referred to as Satan. Paul tells us that Satan is an "angel of light", He is referred to as the Father of Lies, and perhaps the most vivid depiction of Satan is that He is like a roaring lion, seeking who He may devour. This depiction of Satan as a roaring lion is a little bit clearer to me as I reflect on one of the more annoying aspects of my daily life. A few months ago, my wife and I decided to "rescue" a cat from the breeding ground of disease that was our local humane society. After several months of recovery the cat has now fully recovered and prowls the house looking for wayward ankles and toes to bite. Generally these are my ankles and toes, but he has been known to catapult off of the kid's faces every once in while as well. I am now sneaking around the house at all hours, much like Peter Sellers in the Pink Panther, waiting for a well hidden attacker to spring at me. At times I successfully avoid the swiping claws and gnawing teeth, but I also have a few scratches on my feet and ankles that indicate previous battles lost. Even as I write this, I am hunkered silently over the keyboard hoping that "Ninja Cat" does not hear the clickety-clack of my typing and spring out of the darkness towards more vital parts than my feet and ankles. I do actually have to think twice before wiggling my toes in bed, or dragging my feet across the floor or scratching an itch. (think of the catastrophic possiblities with that one). It has taken me several months to develop this awareness as the threat seems to be an imminent and immediate one. As devastating as this sounds, there is actually a far more devastating and destructive pattern of attacks that we as Christians are often times far less aware of. We are not the predators, we are the prey. We are do not walk about in fear, but we should walk around with a deepened awareness of the roaring lion's desire to rip and tear at us in many areas of our lives. He seeks to render our relationship with God and with others to nothing less than dry, gnawed on bones. He fires darts of discontentment, anger, frustration, greed, manipulation and disbelief at us and hopes that one of them finds a vital organ. We as Christians are protected by the blood of Christ, but we are also capable of wandering far from God's protective embrace and travelling to where the Roaring Lion and the Father of Lies is waiting to ply his trade. Be aware of the things you engage in on a daily basis. Our wandering often starts small. A harsh word here, and an angry reply there and we are in the jungle, being stalked. Cling close to Jesus daily and trust that by following His commandments we can blunt the weapons that the Devil would use against us to promote our downfall. Be vigilant, put on the Armour of God, fight against the temptation that surrounds and stand strong against the power of Hell.