New World Christian Ministries
Bellingham, Washington
All Material © 1986 - 2003, NWCM &  Ray Hermann

Yorkie & The Sneaky Snake

by  Rev. Ray Hermann

    One of my precious wife's little Yorkies got out of its backyard pen the other day and began to snoop around the vegetable garden. The garden is located way out back of the property and near an area of dense weeds and thickets. (I realize it is not good to have our garden near the weeds, but that's another story for another time.)
    We sometimes give the kind of attention to these little Yorkshire Terriers that we used to give to the children, before they grew up and married and moved away; we even speak to them like we spoke to the kids when they were little.
    "Sammi," I said, "you had better not get too close to those weeds, 'cause Sneaky Snake is going to get you."
    Now, Sneaky Snake is a little garter snake that lives in the weeds and likes to sun himself in our garden on warm afternoons. We gave him that name after he slithered up behind my wife one day and gave her quite a surprise.

Life is Like That

    Life is like that, in a way, for us humans, too. Each time we get a little too near the edge of our Christian faith, we increase the chances of being snared by that old serpent of this world. We are a little different than Sammi, though. A pen or short leash will restrain her and keep her in safety, but we, as Christians, aren't controlled by outside restraints. We are given rules and regulations and a free will. Any restraints are self-imposed.
    Of course, some would argue that God does, indeed, have us on a leash, of sorts, meaning these same rules by which we must live. If that is the case, then I suggest that the leash is long and He has given us enough rope to hang ourselves. Still, it is a free will which controls how tight we allow that rope to get.

Always Be Aware of The Serpent

    Anyway, my point is that, like Sammi, we must always be aware of the serpent, if we wish not to get caught. Better than just watching our backsides, it would be advisable not to even go near the weeds.
    I think we would all agree, that the grass that we see on the other side of the fence is, so often, just weeds when we get a closer look. It is better to stay on our own side of the fence within the safety of our Christian faith. We must recognize the temptations ahead of time and stay clear so as not to give the serpent a chance to sneak up on us.

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© 1991, by Ray Hermann
(Any use of this article must contain the "by-line" and proper copyright information; a link to this site would be appreciated.)
Published in The New World Journal, summer 1991.

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