The Desert Snakes and the Water

I once lived with a colony of people in a hot, dry desert.  We were chronically thirsty and this thirst drove the purpose of our existence: we were constantly searching for water.

This barren land contained dangerous snakes.  The snakes would try to squeeze the breath out of us by wrapping themselves around our necks.  The master of the land warned us repeatedly to stay on our guard lest the snakes choke us.  Even more so, he warned us of the fatal snake, one slightly larger, who did not squeeze our breath from us, but rather would render a death blow to us in the form of a fatal bite.

We would get so engrossed in our search for water, and our enjoyment of water found, that we would forget about the snakes.  More than once, I found myself clawing at my neck to remove a constricting snake with the help of others around me.  I would gasp for sweet air once the snake had been destroyed, shaking in terror, heart pounding, vision slowly returning from black to color.  Each time it happened, I swore I would never again let down my guard against the snakes.

Slowly, however, as time passed, my fellow colonists and I would relax into our routine and again become so focused on finding water that we would forget about the snakes.  Inevitably, the snakes would see their opportunity and attack.  The fatal snake was particularly sneaky.  He often traveled with the other snakes and was difficult to distinguish until it was nearly too late.  When he was spotted, we would cry to our master who would battle the snake on our behalf.

I came to the point where I just accepted the presence of the snakes.  I had grown weary of always standing guard  and figured they wouldn't kill us.  Sure, they could cause great pain and discomfort, but we fight them off.  As for the fatal snake, well, we would just cry to the master if he got too close and he would fight him off for us.

One day, the snakes were swimming in the water, but I was trying to scoop up some water despite the danger.  I realized too late that the fatal snake was there.  He was quick and strong and was soon crawling up my arm.  I cried to the master, but he didn't come.  In a panicked frenzy, I tried to pull him from my body, but to no avail.  Exhausted, I collapsed and the snake arose to strike my back.

Hear the Word of the Lord.  We live in the desert and long for eternity.  We are constantly in search of that which will satisfy our thirst.  Satan and his minions prowl like snakes, seeking to destroy and our Master has warned us to stand guard.  Brothers and sisters: do not let your hearts be calloused, do not grow weary in the fight for what is good.  For the Lord is with us and will come to our aid when we call upon him.  But a day is coming when he will turn aside and allow us to be overcome by the evil desires of our heart.