Undefended Territory

My front door latch is a bit finicky. If I run out to my detached garage for something, or maybe go for a walk—I don’t always lock my door with a key. I just shut it behind me. My husband has told me several times—“If you go out the front door, then push against it after you close it behind you. Make sure it is latched properly. If not, it will blow open in the wind.” I ran out to Bible study the other day and the front door blew open. (Yes, I forgot his instructions.)  Here are a few possible consequences of my actions: the dog could have run out and gotten hit by a car; the field mice that have been visiting the bird feeders on the front porch could have come into the house; surely the heating bill will be higher, because I let all the cold air in. The moral of this story is NOT that I shouldn’t leave the house for Bible study—but that whatever I pursue, I need to be conscious of not leaving other important things UNATTENDED.

In the book of Joshua, there is an obscure sentence that caught my attention:

“The city was left empty and undefended as they were chasing __________.” (8:15-17 MSG)

I just kept thinking about areas that we leave undefended as we pursue new ventures. Here are a few examples:

Leaving faith undefended while pursuing knowledge.

Leaving trust undefended while pursuing stability.

Leaving the mind undefended while pursuing diversions.

Leaving health undefended while pursuing pleasure.

Leaving the truth undefended while pursuing illusions.

Leaving a marriage undefended while pursuing self-fulfillment.

Leaving children undefended while pursuing success.

My friend, LV, sent me the following verse from Proverbs 31:16 Amplified Version:

“She considers a [new] field before she buys or accepts it [expanding prudently and not courting neglect of her present duties by assuming other duties]; with her savings [of time and strength] she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard."

Lord, help me to spend my time and strength productively, expanding prudently, without neglecting my present duties.