We were at my sister’s house. It was time for our annual extended family holiday get together! Lots of family, lots of food and lots of fun!!
My son was playing the piano located near the entryway of their home, and a few of us were gathered around, enjoying the music, waiting for guests to arrive.
{THIS is where things get crazy}
As the first set of guests walked through the door…so did an unexpected intruder.
A BIRD! Yes, I said A BIRD!
This uninvited guest darted into the house and flew straight to the top of the chandelier high above the piano.
Whaaat in the world?
Within minutes my sister’s home would be filled to MAXIMUM capacity! A bird flying around would not only be a huge distraction, it could also create a mess! We all were in agreement- THIS bird has got to go…and each of us had our own idea on how to make that happen.
My husband whistled, I played bird sound videos on my phone, and my cousin lifted up a fake tree close to the bird- I think he was hoping it would hop on and be lured away! As you can see, we all had a strategy…but this bird wouldn’t budge! In fact, I think our tactics backfired, because before we knew it, the bird pooped right above my sister’s beautiful baby grand piano.😳
Oh goodness!! This bird ain’t playin!
Then my brother in law did something we should have done from the beginning! He did a quick google search on “How to get a bird out of a home,” and we all followed google’s suggestion.
We turned off all of the lights inside the house and opened the front door. Sure enough, Google was right! So simple but so effective! The bird darted outside towards the porch light!
We all cheered with relief!!!
You’re probably thinking, cool story- but what does this have to do with anything spiritual?
In Genesis 4, we read the story about Adam and Eve’s sons, Cain and Abel. Both gave an offering to the Lord. Cain offered up SOME fruits, while Abel brought the BEST portions of the firstborn lambs of his flock.
Verses 4 and 5 tell us, “The Lord accepted Abel and his gift, but he did not accept Cain and his gift.”
This made Cain very angry.
The Lord noticed Cain’s anger and warned Cain, “You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! SIN IS CROUCHING AT THE DOOR, eager to control you. But you MUST subdue it and be its master.”
Friends, do you see what I see??
Just like that bird had been sitting on the ledge outside of my sister’s house ready and eager to come inside, so the enemy (sin) waits just outside the door of our lives ready and eager to come inside and wreak havoc!!
Ephesians 4:27 warns us to not give the devil a foothold to work with! A foothold!! That’s all it takes! One little opportunity and boom, the enemy has access to my life!
My husband and I talk to our now young adult sons often about this very subject. We warn them over and over again how important it is to NOT give the enemy an open door to any area of our lives- The videos we watch, the music we listen to, the jokes we engage in, pride, slander, gossip, unforgiveness!! All of these seemingly harmless actions can open the door to the enemy!
As we drove home from the family gathering that night, we all agreed that God used a feathered friend to give us a very practical visual of how “sin is crouching at the door.” A visual I hope we never forget! As vigilant as we were about getting the bird out, we should be even more vigilant about identifying sin, getting it out of our lives…and keeping it out!
As I start this New Year, I am asking God to reveal any possible cracks which might give the enemy access into my life.
Remember, that bird didn’t play…and sin doesn’t either!
~Binu
