Heed the Warning

We sat comfortably on a bed watching television and talking about the exciting night which lay ahead.  Suddenly, we heard a loud alarm sounding in the hallway of the hotel.  As each of us turned to look at the other, we quickly made it to the door and progressed toward the stairway.  One child became scared, advancing to an episode of panic.  Seeing this reaction, the other child ran to my arms with shaking voice and determination to go home and escape this situation.  My husband and I eased the children to the outside of the building while explaining the false fire alarm.  All my children could think of was the sound ringing in their ears and trying to find a way out. 

Surprisingly, many residents did not heed the warning and move out of the building.  We spent a few minutes outside before returning to affirm the false alarm.  My youngest took about an hour to calm down and realize we were safe.  I tried to assure her that I would not let anything bad happen to her.  I would protect her through the situations that come our way.

What if the alarm were not false?  Why did the other residents choose to ignore the warning?  Fire spreads rapidly, engulfing anything and everything in its path.  Fire does not choose favorites.  Fire does not care, it simply destroys. . .

How many people live with fire blazing around them, alarms ringing loudly and our Protector holding His hand out to save them; yet, continue on living each day battling the fire on their own?  How many people continue running from the fires in life, escaping through drugs, violence, crime, retaliation and other sins to mask the pain and trial temporarily?  How do we miss the sweet sounding voice of our Father comforting us through the situations we face?

“We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.” (Hebrews 2:1)

I missed the alarm ringing for too long.  Satan grabs a hold of those who ignore and further deafens their ears from the alarm.  This fallen world presents consuming fires every which way we turn. . .how can we survive?  By the grace of God!  He sent His only son to dwell among us and save us by the cross.  Our minds cannot even imagine the fires Jesus faced while here on earth.  He was abused, beaten, spit on, falsely accused, and so much more.  All for what?  So we may have life and be freed from our sins.  So we may heed the warning alarms and not veer from the path laid for our lives. 

 “So, as the Holy Spirit says:“Today, if you hear his voice,do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness,” (Hebrews 3:7-8)

Embrace this GIFT given freely to us and don’t face the fires alone.  Heed warnings and turn to God for rescue, not this world.  He will not let you fall and will protect you through the situations faced here on earth.  Accept Jesus as your Savior, be baptized in the Holy Spirit and renew your life today.  The fires of this world will not go away and sin will still be present. . .but you will have the Key to avoid destruction.  Choose God, not sin to escape.

Sin does not choose favorites.  Sin does not care, it simply destroys.  Choose this day to heed the warnings and avoid sin; choosing to follow the One who saved your life.

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.

Sheree Craig