By Gina Caswell Kelly
I had an adventure this week. I got home to find a rattlesnake in my garage! Seriously! He was no more happy about it than I was. I got out of my car and heard a noise that I couldn’t figure out. When I looked down, he was no more than two feet from me. If I had not heard the rattle and looked down, I would have likely stepped right on him. I am fortunate that the guy who farms the land next to me, whom I have called my spare son is always willing to come running when I call. Barrett showed up and cornered the snake. The sheriff showed up and “Rattlesnake Watch 2023” began. While I was talking to these guys, my preacher, Tommy, called me. I told him what was going on and he soon showed up with a snake catcher, as did a deputy. I am sure the folks down the road were watching with interest as I suddenly had more company in 30 minutes than I have had in the last year!
The preacher didn’t just bring his snake catcher. He brought his young grandson too. He handed me Elijah, and he and the guys went after the snake. Elijah had plenty of questions about what Papa was doing. I talked to him about how God gave the snake that rattle tail so it would serve as a warning to us that there was danger around. That rattle was the only reason I knew danger was in my garage to start with. Well, the snake was caught. Barrett carried him away and the danger was over. There are clearly lessons here.
Just like the sound of that familiar rattle let me know danger was close by and I needed to be careful with the decisions I made, God sends danger signals to us to help us know when danger is nearby. But we have to be paying attention. Sometimes the danger signals God sends us are in those feelings we have that something just does not feel right. Sometimes you just know a situation is not all it should be. Sometimes God sends people with words of direction who let us know when danger is nearby.
Just like God made that rattle for the poisonous snake, He gives us warnings when we are veering off course. In His Word He guides us and offers clear direction. His Word is living and new every day. I write in my Bible. I underline. I make notes to the side. I write dates. As I look back through my Bible, I see all different colors of ink. Sometimes all on one page! That is a clear sign to me that God’s word is living. It means something different to me each time I read it. I think the different colors of ink in my Bible show where I was at that particular moment in my life. By staying in God’s Word and staying close to Him in prayer, we are ready to see the warning signs. We are listening for the warning sounds. We are ready to put up our shield to fight what the enemy wants to bring.
Are you listening for God’s warning sounds in your life? It will make a difference!
