Mindful sobriety and the hippo; a heel strike

When one thinks of the dangerous animals of Africa often the lion is thought of.  It is actually the hippo that is more dangerous an animal. 

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 

I had a dream where the deceiver grabbed my heel. 

Though shriveled and but a skin in the a basement it lives. A musty stench.  

He runs and screams leaving it behind but it's still in the room.

I awoke. 

My leg begins to ache again though it was healed. 

Again I fell asleep. 

I slept in my dreams but awoke to this in my dream state: 

A locked door was opened in the night. 

A security risk? Who enters? 

So I went about my day but then an old snake struck my heel the next night. 

I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel." [Genesis 3:15 ESV]

A trap seizes him by the heel; a snare lays hold of him. [Job 18:9 ESV]

How could I have forgotten that dream I had not more than 12 hours before? Such folly for me to entertain the devils lettuce in such a time as this. While to backslide is not unusual we must strive to flee sin and run towards our Savior. How often the Israelites turned back from God though they saw the miracles performed! 

"Return, faithless people; I will cure you of backsliding." "Yes, we will come to you, for you are the LORD our God. [Jeremiah 3:22 NIV] 

At first I asked for wisdom. And he provided. 
And I asked for him to give me strength of faith where I had not enough. He has provided.
I asked for healing and to starve the temptations. He has provided. 
I asked for gifts so that I may lift up the church and wake up those that have ears. He has provided. I have fear the Lord and it is indeed a cause of trembling; this temple can barely stand.

Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake. [Job 4:14 KJV]

To doubt is human error of which the root cause is pride. So I must humble myself and listen to the nudges and shaking though I wander astray and forget. As Israel also forgets. How can we remember? By writing on my hand and adorning the temple so that even unto death this sack of bones that are of the dust will proclaim: I am the LORDs.  

This one will say, 'I am the LORD's,' another will call on the name of Jacob, and another will write on his hand, 'The LORD's,' and name himself by the name of Israel." [Isaiah 44:5 ESV]

So I shall turn from my deceitfulness as Jacob did.  I feel as though I too have wrestled with God and now walk with a limp. I sought my own way for 17 long years. So I pray I will continue to be broken down, that my limp would not cease, that I would be reminded of the vapor I am today for the things of this earth will pass away. Are we even guaranteed a single breath for tomorrow? No! 

I want a full life in eternity full of blessings there and will not make exchange for a red stew of this earth that satisfies the snake brain. So I begin my climb out of the basement and take the stairs towards heaven as the angels do in their coming and going. 

For there is no other way than to trust and obey.