When I answered my phone I knew she’d been crying.
“Mom, are you OK?” my heart skipped a beat as I asked.
Her voice quivered in response, “My wallet was stolen.”
“Are you sure? Could you have misplaced it?”
“I’m sure. I’m here at Nordstrom Rack. I paused to chat with a friend and when I turned my back, a man I’d noticed out of the corner of my eye had stolen it. The police are on their way. I lost my cash, credit cards, driver’s license—everything.”
There’s nothing quite so devastating as being intentionally harmed by another human being.
And yet, it happens all the time. Theft. Abuse. Lies. Betrayal—and these are just a few ways people harm one another. We’ve all been victims.
In some form or fashion, we’ve all been robbed.
Bad people aren’t the only ones who rob us, though. Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy…” (John 10:10) Our Enemy, the devil, has just one purpose: to harm us any way he can. He’s on the prowl to steal our peace, our unity, our trust, our belief. He kills our joy, our contentment, our hope. He’s intent on destroying us and all we hold dear.
But that’s not the end of the story.
Jesus continued, “But I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
When I asked Mom why she was sure about who stole her wallet, she told me two things:
- I found it odd that a man was in the women’s section with a load of clothes over his arm. He seemed out of place.
- I sensed his presence behind my back. He felt too close for comfort.
Surveillance footage confirmed her suspicion.
Our Enemy works the same way. His presence is sneaky–behind our back–but, also, weirdly in plain sight. He sidles up close enough to slip into our life unnoticed, then robs us blind.
For example, if love is missing, or hope is missing, or kindness is missing, in some unseen way, our Enemy had a part in stealing it.
After taking Mom’s statement, the kind police personnel gave her a warning: Be alert. Keep your valuables close. Then, one final “heads-up”: Thieves are everywhere these days, even in places you might not suspect, like Nordstrom Rack.
Where our Enemy is concerned we need the same warning. He’s in places we might not expect.
Except our valuables aren’t possessions, they are people. They aren’t our credit cards, they’re our character.
Faith, hope, love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, self-control– We must guard these treasures in the same way my mom needed to guard her purse.
Our Enemy seeks to rob us of what brings us life, but Jesus came to give us what is truly life.
Yes, our enemy is close. We should be alert and aware so we don’t get robbed. But, we should also stay close to Jesus.
In light of the devil’s schemes, perhaps the real message is that we should move closer to Jesus than we’ve been in the past.
After all, no one wants to get robbed.
“The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy, but I have come that you might have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)
You are loved,
Donna
Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @donnaajones, or on Facebook at Donna Jones, Speaker & Author. And check out the “That’s Just What I Needed” podcast. You’re sure to find an episode that is just what you needed! Listen on all your favorite podcast platforms (or just google it!)
Xo,
D
