David Leventhal

“Be sober and alert.  Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, strong in your faith, because you know that your brothers and sisters throughout the world are enduring the same kinds of suffering.  And, after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” (1 Peter 5:8-10, NET)

All too often I go about my day as if I were taking a leisurely walk on the beach.  No real purpose.  No real idea where I’m going.  I stroll about enjoying the waves, the seagulls & the sand…not a care in the world.  But Scripture paints a much different setting. The Bible reminds me that our world is less like a walk on the beach & more like a walk through a war zone.  There is nothing “safe” about it.  It lies in the power of the devil (1 John 5:19) & he is always seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8 & Ephesians 6:10-12ff).

I’ve never been to a war zone.  But from what I know about such places I can tell you that a walk through a war zone would look much different than a walk on the beach.  Here’s where I see some differences:

• Purpose
  • Beach – To enjoy the scenery
  • War Zone – To survive, save others & destroy the enemy
• Pace
  • Beach – Slow & leisurely walk
  • War Zone – Each step would be purposeful
• Attitude
  • Beach – Carefree
  • War Zone – Sober & Alert
• Expectations
  • Beach – To be stress free & relaxed
  • War Zone – To have to struggle to stay alive, healthy and whole
• Souvenirs:
  • Beach – Gather up some pretty shells to display around a candle in my living room
  • War Zone – Rescue wounded & broken humanity