Beware the snake in the grass

And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Since the dawn of creation, man has been trying to recreate the Garden of Eden. We plant, nurture, and cultivate flower beds to enjoy the beauty of our landscapes – always seeking perfection in doing so. Such plantings give us peace and happiness as we wonder at the artistry and sweet fragrance that flowers bring to the world. My yard is no exception. 

Since moving into my home in the summer of 2018, I’ve been slowly adding flower beds to my yard. My original plantings were influenced by cost – meaning, I could only afford clearance plants or items that were on sale. When many of my flowers died, I learned to create garden plans, pick better plants, check them for optimal health, and pay more attention to the soil and upkeep. This year, my gardens are thriving. 

Gardening is an active hobby. Digging, planting, staking, weeding, watering – all these things take time and hard work. When I look at my gardens now, I know that every lovely flourish was hard-earned through the incalculable cost of my sweat equity. 

This year, for example, I purchased a dump truck-load of garden soil that could only be unloaded outside my yard. Slowly, wheelbarrow by wheelbarrow, I moved the dirt from near my front driveway to my backyard vegetable garden: 45 wheelbarrows, in all. 

Once this garden was complete, I carted additional loads of dirt to create a new flower bed, then supplemented old plots of existing, sandy soil with the richer dirt where former plantings weren’t doing well. Each of these jobs required the hard work of shoveling soil, pushing the heavy burdens to the gardens, cultivating it, and going back for more. It was hot, sweaty, filthy labor, not for the faint of heart. 

Last weekend, while preparing to cut the grass in my yard, I spotted a hole under my fence, made by one of the armadillos that dig in my yard for grubs. While kicking the soil back under the fence, a movement caught my eye that made me jump up and back in alarm. 

A little over a foot away from where I had just kicked the dirt sat a young, two-foot-long copperhead snake. As I ran into my house to grab my camera-phone, I kept repeating, “Thank you, Jesus! Thank you, Jesus! Thank you, Jesus!’ I knew that snake, young as it was, could have dealt a painful bite to my bare ankles and legs. There was no doubt in my mind that God protected me. 

As I watched the snake move across the back perimeter of my yard, it struck me how often God protects me from things that I so seldom give credence. There is never a day when the Devil is not seeking to steal my joy and focus my attention on anything other than my blessings. How often do I acknowledge these protections? Not often enough. 

I work hard – both at home and in the office. Since our workplace reduction a few weeks ago, I’ve been serving eleven-hour, stress-filled days, with little security that my position will remain. I focus on every mistake that I make – and I make plenty – as I try to keep up with my heavy workload. My workplace insecurity and duties often carry into my dreams, whether I want them to or not. 

But aren’t anxiety and insecurity tools of the Devil? Of course, they are. I dare say they may be some of the most powerful tools in his arsenal. 

“[Satan] was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44)

“You’re not worthy,” he tells me. “You won’t last long. You can’t do anything right. It’s only a matter of time before you will fail, and you, too, will be gone.” 

Are such observations accurate? Of course not. God knows I strive to perform above and beyond what’s expected of me. Am I perfect? Far from it. Do I make mistakes? All the time. Nevertheless, I can’t focus on my imperfections as they will always remain and don’t make me who I am. 

Rather than listen to the lies, I choose to focus on my blessings. I have a job when others do not. I have food in my refrigerator, a beautiful home and yard, money in the bank, a dependable car to drive, and I am healthy. More importantly, my family is healthy. Many others cannot say the same. 

There will always be a snake in the garden, seeking to cause me fear and alarm – slithering about as he strives to redirect my attention away from the beauty and blessings that surround me. By focusing on God’s Word, the promises He made never to leave or forsake me (Joshua 1: 5), and all the ways God has protected me in the past, I have all the tools I need to resist Satan’s deceptions. 

The Devil told his first lie to Eve when he said to her, “You will not surely die.” The existence God created for humankind was lost when Eve disobeyed God. Her utopia ceased and was replaced by the pain and hardship that has plagued humanity from the moment that first, fateful apple was eaten. Sin bears consequences. God’s warning was true, as is every other word that He gave us in the Bible. 

• I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. (Jeremiah 31:3)
• For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:17)
• My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? (John 14:2)
• Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)
• The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs–heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory. (Romans 8:16-17)

God loves me – wholeheartedly, passionately, completely. I am His beloved child, and He will always take care of me. While bad things may sometimes happen in my world, I cannot live my life in fear of the same. 

Beware the snake in the grass, beloved. Satan is always waiting to strike and cause us harm. 

But God’s Word, His love, and His protection are always with us. He will never allow any harm to come to us without it being for His purpose. Such a thought gives me comfort. May it do the same for you today.