Footsteps Behind Me

For the past month or so, I've been working to get in better shape. I've been eating less and making better food choices when I do eat. I've been taking my vitamins. I've been walking in my neighborhood and at the Anmed Health Campus (great place, by the way). I can already tell my efforts are paying off. I wore a pair of jeans yesterday I haven't had on in a while and that felt great!

I got up early this morning and decided that I would get my walk in. It was about 6 am. Problem was that I did not realize how dark the street still is at six o'clock in the morning. But I headed out anyway.

I rounded the first curve in our neighborhood and quickly found myself in almost complete darkness. I was totally unprepared for the darkness. There was enough light pollution for me to barely see the road under my feet. I didn't have a flashlight to guide me or a stick to ward off wild animals that I was certain were lurking in the shadows. I had on dark shorts and a t-shirt and wondered if someone might mistake me for a prowler.

The more I walked the more unsettling the darkness became. I would hear noises along the side of the road. I could see darker places on the asphalt and wondered if I should step over or go around. I could look ahead and see shadows moving in the light coming from a front porch.

And then I heard it....footsteps behind me. I turned to look in the dark haze and could not see anyone. But I could hear the footsteps shuffling behind me as I picked up my pace. I crested the big hill by the lake and the footsteps faded into the distance until the sound was completely gone.

Scary, right? I have to admit that my heart rate picked up dramatically when I heard those footsteps. And even though I knew that I was safe, do you know what it reminded me of? The enemy's clever ways of sneaking up behind us when we least expect it.

I don't want to give the enemy much time here today. But if you are a Christ-follower and you are seeking to live for Him and honor Him with your life, you must be looking for and listening for those footsteps behind you. The Bible says, "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith..." 1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV)

Be alert today, my friends. Be alert! Do not intentionally walk into the darkness because you cannot see all that is going on behind or in front of you. Instead, walk in the wonderful light of Jesus.

"Then Jesus told them, 'You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." John 12:35-36 (NIV)