“If you don’t want snakes in the yard, keep the grass mowed.” How do you like that saying? It sounds like pretty good advice to me. I saw it a few days ago, and I can’t stop thinking about it. Why would you not want snakes in the yard? Some snakes are actually beneficial, right? Yet, some are deadly. The general consensus is that somewhere around 7,000-8,000 people get bit by a venomous snake in the United States each year with a few people dying. Personally, if it’s in my yard with our grandson, our dog, Ellie, and the chickens, I’d just prefer snakes to “keep on truckin'”, and pass our property by. But there is a way to deter snakes from bedding down in the yard – just keep it mowed! If the environment isn’t “snake friendly,” then you’ll be less likely to stumble upon one of those slithering serpents up close and personal.
This reminds me of how some people treat sin. “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) They know what their weaknesses are – alcohol? drugs? illicit sex? foul language? putting hunting or sports events before worship services? But instead of mowing the grass and and clearing the yard to make it easier to spot those temptations, they believe that – “I can be around my old friends. . . It won’t bother me! I’m strong.” But then, cravings and urges take over and even those with the best of intentions are likely to give in at one time or another.
Think about Psalm 1:1. It goes like this, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” Notice the progression – It’s like an alcoholic. First he may “walk by” the bar – no sense in going out of his way to get home, right? Then, he stops to look in the door – he can smell the liquor, but he’s not drinking – yet. Finally, he reasons with himself that there’s no harm is sitting down and visiting with his friends, and before you know it – the snake has reached out and bitten him again.
My friends, has the grass gotten high in your yard? Are you doing all you can to avoid temptation? We have been given the promise that, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it (I Corinthians 10:13). Sometimes we might have to look hard for that escape, but we can rest assured that it is there. Do you need to mow the grass? Simply blessed, Courtney