Last night, a bright yellow warning screen flashed on my computer as a friend of ours attempted to retrieve information from his flash (thumb) drive, and for a couple of seconds I felt as if my heart had taken up residence in my mouth.
"Oh no... not again! Not after all my hard work!" Apparently, his drive had become host to the trojan horse virus, and my computer was about to become the unsuspecting recipient... but I am happy to report that the new antivirus software worked. It really worked!
Do you remember the story of the Trojan Horse? I mean... back when it was read (not watched), and there was no need to witness every last bit of violence up close and personal...
The Greeks had beseiged the city of Troy of ten years, and it had proved to be an exercise in futility. So they decided to build a huge figure of a horse, in which they hid some troops. The horse was left outside the city, looking every bit like a peace offering as the Greeks pretended to sail away. The Trojans pulled the horse into their city, thinking to keep it as a trophy of their victory, but during the night the Greek troops crept out and opened the gates of the city for the rest of the Greek army, who had returned under the cover of night. The Greek army entered and destroyed the city, ending the war once and for all.
You know... there is another story in there too, if you're really paying attention. It is the story of how the evil one operates, and how - if we are not careful - our walk with Christ can be derailed.
It is never usually the obvious things that floor us. "No," we say, "that's not how we roll." As always, it's those pesky "little foxes that spoil the vine." (Songs of Solomon 2:15)
That one personal devotion skipped... annoying little fox.
The devil may show up uninvited, but to neglect that which ensures strength for the Journey is to invite him to pull up a chair and join us for tea. So then one plus one plus one.....
In this age of all things fast, quality one-to-one time with God is sometimes relegated to the back burner, and family worship is 'inconvenient' (unless, of course, there's that odd moment when absolutely nothing else that demands our attention):-o The result? Shattered relationships all around... families, churches, communities... and it all begins with that one.
I have found that body weight works the same way... but that's a whole other story. (Note to self: don't smell cheesecake) ;)
Heavenly Father, make us willing to put You first always... even when our circumstances are unfavourable. Teach us to be vigilant, so that we will not fall prey to the 'Trojan horses' deployed by the evil one.
