A Snake in the Same Old Spot

"The woman said to the serpent..." (Genesis 3:2 NASB1995)

My Upper Zoom group has started working our way through the beginning of everything. We started Genesis a few weeks back and tackled chapter 3 this morning. That said, I’ve spent the last seven days ruminating on the fall of man. I can’t seem to get past the snake.

I discovered it on Sunday; how Eve stayed in the conversation with the snake rather than running to the Creator with her questions. I finally connected the dots this morning: I do the very same thing when I worry! So do you! We nurse our doubts when we engage with the serpent instead of praying to the Sustainer.

Our growth group discussed it deeply; how the snake is always running interference in our story. When we stop to converse with him, we are easily dragged away by our temptation. The end result is as disastrous for us as it was for Adam and Eve.

An hour later, my daughter and I were walking a favorite course through the woods, determined to work up a sweat before the day got underway. While we were lost in conversation, a snake danced across the concrete in front of us. Sarah saw him and I shrieked. (My fear of snakes is biblical in proportion!) We paused our progress and stood back a ways, waiting for him to evacuate our path. He flared about for a bit and finally found his hole.

We made our way forward with a watchful eye toward the snake den, wary of a reappearance. After a few cautious steps, we resumed our original pace. The trail is maybe a half a mile long and within a few minutes, we’d reached that part of the path again. I’ll tell you, the second time around, my senses were heightened. The amygdala is a powerful muscle and my brain wasn’t taking any chances with another encounter. I kept my eyes peeled for any sort of sneaky activity because I knew a snake inhabited that space.

We rounded the next turn and the lesson clicked. The crafty serpent will often sit in the same dark corners of our lives. There are certain circumstances that expose our doubts and leave us vulnerable to his suggestions.

I can look back at the long miles of my life and see his tactic. It’s the twists and turns where he gets me; when I can’t see my way around the next corner but change is imminent. I am most endangered when the path ahead is unclear.

This morning I am determined to learn from Eve’s defeat. The snake is trying to steer the conversation. I can disengage. I can invite the presence of God into my corner instead. The enemy doesn’t stand a chance when the Creator Sustainer steps onto the scene. I can bring my questions and doubts to the One who is all-knowing, omniscient and omnipresent. I can present my requests to the only Entity who possess the power to meet and exceed my needs. I can concentrate all my relational energy on engaging the God who loves me without reservation. I can turn from the snake and call on the King.

"The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God." (Philippians 5:5-6 NASB1995)

Father, please forgive us for engaging with the enemy. It’s all too common to find him in the same old corners of our story. Help us see his tactics clearly and cry out for help quickly. Meet us in these twists and turns. Teach us to stay in the conversation with You rather than give way to the easy talk of the enemy. Strengthen our resolve to bring our questions and conversation straight into Your presence at every turn. Amen.