A national network of thieves is preying upon people’s busyness in our local DFW area lately. I’m not going to mention them by name.
Their victims include parents dropping off their children at daycare. The thieves observe the parent getting her family out of the car and inside the daycare, and then they proceed to sneak to the car in hopes of finding a purse, computer, phone or other things of value left unattended. Windows smashed or door opened, it doesn’t matter . . . by the time the parent returns to his/her vehicle, these criminals have made their escape and may be on their way to commit identity fraud with the drivers licenses of their victims.
I’m not naïve enough to think this couldn’t happen any time, date or location these days. Still, the brazenness is still jaunting. Many of these crimes occur in broad daylight and in defiance of video surveillance.
Regarding these crimes, comments on social media can tend to blame the victim.
Be aware! Hide your belongings in the car! Lock your doors!
Though I can’t disagree with any of those admonitions, I still am bothered by the thought that stealing isn’t supposed to happen.
It’s a reminder of how our enemy works. The devil prowls around like a lion looking for someone to devour, just as these criminals are prowling around looking for other people’s belongings.
But rather than our material, the devil wants to steal our joy. He attacks our faith. He attacks our hope. He attacks our security.
Just like a parent preoccupied with dropping off their child so they can get to work, the devil attacks us in our busyness. When we are walking close with God, communing with Him, asking of Him, praying to Him, being obedient to Him, the enemy doesn’t have a foothold.
But, when our busyness distracts us from our necessity to hold fast to God, it unlocks our doors and gives the devil opportunity to break in with lies.
If we believe the lies, then identity fraud can take place. We forget our right standing with God, the inheritance we have in Him, and the valuable possession of eternal life that can’t be taken away. This theft and fraud can take place in broad daylight.
When we are walking close with God, the enemy doesn’t have a foothold.
However, as a redeemed person by the belief in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our identity can be fully recovered in an instant.
In regard to truth, we can be aware of God’s word. We can hide it within our heart and we can lock our door to deception that would rob us of our joy.
We can then hold fast to what we never lost in the first place, the most valuable gift of life in Jesus Christ.
“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” – 1 Peter 5:8
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and[a]have it abundantly.” – John 10:10
“But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:21
“You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump.” – Galatians 5:7-9
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” – John 16:13
“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:32
