Eyes Wide Shut

"One of the ways satan deceives us is when we are doing all the wrong things, for all the right reasons." ~Chris Zarbaugh

I've been contemplating something I've wanted to write about for about a week now. Today my pastor, when teaching on the topic of "the devil" or satan, said some things that were in line with what's been on my mind so it's time to put it down on "paper." ;)

The weather outside was not so grand. It was cold, wet, slippery, overcast...and traffic wasn't being nice to me. It seems due to a manufacturing glitch on my model of car, I have to drive even more carefully in wet weather because my breaks lock up and I slide without stopping. (Had an accident once because of it).

So, I'm driving down the street in inclement weather, heavy traffic and I live near Detroit where if you don't drive defensively, you won't survive. I'm driving very cautiously because of the weather, the traffic and the atmosphere when I notice the traffic ahead and to the left of me is coming to a quick halt. Looking to the shoulder on the right, I see the MDOT bus stopped, either to load or unload it's cargo (hehe).

Traffic in the opposite direction was not stopped nor was there a traffic light ahead. There was a greater distance in front of me than in the lane to the left and I proceeded to slow down so that I could come to a stop if the traffic didn't start moving. All of a sudden from the middle of the left lane a few yards ahead, a woman appeared who apparently was trying to get to the MDOT bus before it leaves. Understandable.

I realized in this moment that the traffic had come to a stop because of her. Considering my circumstances, I continued to slow down while trying to make sure I didn't slide into traffic to my left or the bus to my right. And while there was some distance between the woman and I, it wasn't a great deal.

She realized I was not stopped yet she continued fearlessly to step out into my lane and even had the audacity to give me a dirty look and share a few words (which I couldn't hear) to express her dissatisfaction with me as if the world should stop because she was crossing the street.

I managed to stop without hitting her and even expressed some anger myself though she had already crossed. I was angry and shaken. She could have gotten hit. She could have caused an accident. Tons of people could have gotten hurt. And that began the thinking process of relating real life circumstances with spiritual principles.

I recognize this pattern regarding sin, danger and the lack of fear in my own life and even in the lives of others. Oftentimes we step out in harm's way, not even realizing the potential life threatening scenarios we are entering into or creating. Or we may see the potential risks and decide to step out anyway. Frequently we step boldly into circumstances that will harm us and dare others to try to prevent us.

As I examine myself, I notice areas where my eyes have been wide shut. Areas where I have stepped into danger, thinking I was doing the right thing but realized later that I was doing the wrong thing, for the right reasons. Like the woman crossing the street who would risk dodging moving traffic to get onto a bus that was going to take her to her destination, I too have taken foolish risks to do something I find important though wrong (didn't know it at the time), for the right reasons. Perhaps she was going to work so she could provide for her family. Maybe home from work to take care of little children. Maybe to pay her bills. The possibilities are endless to consider.

The incident shook me. The quote I shared, hit me hard today. I'm thankful for having the last week to contemplate what taking foolish risks look like so that I can glean spiritual truths. My eyes are not always wide open, but for a moment in time... today... they are. And I pray that I remain cautious, ever aware of impending danger so that I don't harm myself or anyone else by my choices.

~Linda~