I Peter 5:8 “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.”    

This Challenge may read more like a short story or parable than the usual Challenge, but the message is an important spiritual foundation and principle for each of us.  For the past two summers, my wife and I have spent a vacation week in cool Colorado in July to have a brief respite from the Texas heat and drought.  Last year, we were called by neighbors that a huge water leak at the front of our house had shot water several feet in the air and created a large hole and flooding around the whole yard and house.  Neighbors got the water turned off but were afraid the water had gotten into the house.  We left at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday afternoon and drove all night home to survey the damage and address the issue.  Our water supply line to the house is a very large and high-pressure source.  It had broken at the junction going into the house.  We prayed all the way home that water had not flooded into the house.  Fortunately, the leak had not resulted in water in the house but the damage around the house and in the yard and flower beds was significant.  Not only did we have the repair costs but a huge water bill and no water in the house.  This year, we shut off the water valve and source to our house to avoid another costly leak and damage.  Our water sprinkler for the yard is connected to our water well so that the yard would still be watered without running the risk of another damaging leak involving the house.  When we got home last Monday, I walked around the front of the house and stepped in water leaking from the water well supply line and sprinkler system.  I cut the water off and dug around the area to find another broken plastic pipe underneath and a significant leak.  This meant another water supply disruption and repair and I was about to believe that my plastic pipes were demon possessed.   Why did this happen? 

It happened due to the hot, dry weather and the sorry clay soil underneath the supply lines.  This put stress and strain on the plastic pipe until it cracked and leaked.  So, what is the spiritual message gained from this account?  It is rather simple but profound.  When we allow the soil and underlying foundation of our lives to become hot and dry, we will have leaks in our Christian walk which will result in damage and loss of proper function.  We live in a world that is hot and dry to the things of God much like the weather this summer in Texas.  It worked to turn off the water to my house this year to avoid another major leak due to the hot and dry conditions.  However, another dry leak occurred from a different source underneath the surface. We must be vigilant to know that the devil will attack us in new areas from time to time.  He must be prowling around in my yard in July seeking another pipe to devour. Be alert for dry leaks that can flood and damage your walk with Jesus.