I live in the country.

I live WAY OUT in the country.

I live WAY OUT in the WILD, WILD, west country.

I do not live alone, and I ain’t talkin’ people.

In the last week, there has been a scorpion in the toilet; fire ants in an inch-wide trail, spanning the width of my front yard; a hornet invasion around my daughter’s (our equine therapist/program director) apartment; yellow jackets floating on the surface of the pool like someone was throwing a party; and another copperhead sighting.

Aside from the scorpion (which really ARE pretty much under control in the house), they’ve all been outside, but a little too close for comfort. However, we live in their natural habitat. We have invaded their space, or at least that’s what I keep telling myself. I guess all this beauty and rugged splendor comes at a price.

They really all remind me that we are aliens here, in this world. We start settling in, and the evil forces of this world are going to stir up, like a band of hornets. While we’re passing through, enjoying the view of a world filled with majesty, we’d better be on guard. We better not get too comfortable, but, instead, have an eye trained to the ground, and under rocks, and in relationships and on our own hearts, because we aren’t living alone here on this big blue ball.

And I ain’t talkin’ people.

I’m thankful for bug spray and exterminators and shovels for a quick snake kill. And I’m mighty thankful for the Word that keeps our fence-lines shored up and our hearts free of invasions, if we’re faithful to fill up on it and spray it out regularly.

But it still never hurts to keep an eye on the toilet. Just sayin’.

“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12 NLT

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21 ESV

“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 NIV

“Keep vigilant watch over your heart…look neither to the right nor left; leave evil in the dust.” Proverbs 4:23, 27 MSG

“Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it.” 1 Peter 2:11 MSG