I sat in the back of the worship center, tears streaming down my face as I lifted my voice in praise. It had been a rough season of sickness and busyness. And because of those things, I’d missed a lot of Sundays. On a normal Sunday, you could find me helping lead worship in our contemporary service, but lately it had been a struggle even getting to church. If one kid wasn’t sick, then another was. And now it was my turn. I’d been sick for weeks, having lost my voice for much of that time. But finally I was well enough to once again return to one of my favorite places – our beloved church.
After singing songs of worship, I settled into my chair, reading glasses perched on my nose and Bible in my lap, while our preacher took the stage. He spoke on many things that particular Sunday, but there was one statement that stood out to me.
After quoting John 10:10 (“The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy; I have come that they might have life and have it to the full.” NIV), he said this:
“Yes, God has plans for your life. But guess what, believer? So does the devil.”
I was struck anew with the truth of that statement.
A related scripture came to mind – 1 Peter 5:8 – “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around life a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
I know these scriptures.
I’ve memorized these scriptures.
Yet sometimes we need someone to remind us of the truth of these scriptures.
I knew there were questions needing answers:
- Am I being alert to the devil’s schemes?
- Am I being proactive, asking God what His plans are for my life?
- Do I guard against the devil’s plans?
More often than not I find myself in a drifting pattern. Maybe you do too.
And it’s true, what they say – we never reach our destination by drifting. Instead we get farther and farther away from where we want to be.
So this year, as 2022 approaches, I’m looking at different areas of my life – my spirituality, my family, my parenting, my work, my hobbies, my health – and I’m being purposeful.
I want to be alert to the devil’s schemes so that his plans for my life fail. And so that God’s good purposes flourish.
What are your plans for 2022? Do you set goals for yourself? How are you planning to guard against the devil’s schemes this year?