SWARMS

Hiking is not for sissies!  When we hiked the Cascades and Mt. Baker, we learned about black flies.  Circle back in your memories and pick up a scene from "The Birds"----black flies are only smaller but just as treacherous.  Our introduction to the little pests was not fun---we ran from the point they attacked us until we got back down the mountain.  Hundreds upon hundreds swarm you and for such a small insect their bite has to be a small version of Count Dracula with his sharpest teeth.  They fly in your mouth if you dare to open it--into your eyes--into your ears and bite even when you are wearing DEET.  As we flew off that mountain, I understood why someone might jump off the cliff to escape their evil swarm.

Fast Forward to this year---and information gained on the WWW and hiking books---the treacherous flies reside in Maine and New Hampshire also!  We went prepared---plenty of DEET--bug repelling clothing---and even a net to wear over my hat to keep them out of my face.  No stinking flies would spoil this trip!  We arrived in the North following a long cold spring--and the flies were just beginning to emerge from their secret winter hiding places.  The first three days were cool and we avoided even mosquitoes---but then it warmed up and out they came.  Not to be deterred from our adventure---we sprayed and wiped our arms and legs, and put on the bug repellent clothing.  Those little buggers would not stop these hikers.   Soon we learned they were hungry after a long cold winter and unseasonably cool spring---and out for blood.  They discovered our weak spot---the one thing we had not covered with protection---our scalps---around our hairlines and our ears.  I came home with a head full of whelps from their banquet.  It never occurred to me to put the net on--since the flies were not swarming and not until it was too late did I realize I was providing their feast.

Who/What did this remind me of?  Why S A T A N----of course.  He is crafty and looks for our unprotected underbelly to attack.  He is not going to come after you while you are in worship---he is not going to tempt you when you are wearing your spiritual armor.  He lurks waiting for you to stray from God's protection---he attacks when you are in the worldly.  As long as you are covered with prayer and wearing the protection of the Gospel---he will be kept at bay--but he is sulking around---watching your moves----waiting for the perfect moment to swoop in and attack.  Nothing is sweeter to him than a feast from The Chosen--

A good reminder to keep my spiritual armor on and under the cover of prayer--always vigilant--always prepared--on guard against the bite of the evil.

 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Ephesians 6: 14-18