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May 03, 2023 18:30pm

We Have an Enemy

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The feud had begun.

I was paranoid. That’s what they kept telling me. I asked the camera operator to taste my food and make sure it tasted fine. They looked at me like I was crazy. The Mt. Dew that was in my coffee cup, I wanted them to try it, too. Did it taste “off”? Was it hot? Like spicy? Or did it taste salty?

Every time I went around a corner, I was suspicious. I slowly approached the edge to make sure no one was waiting to scare me. I checked my chair to make sure it was safe to sit. Oh! The cabinets! I had to check those, too! What if there was something waiting in there that would fall out and scare me to death when I opened the doors?

How did I get this way? What had me so nervous?

It all started with the lasagna.

It was 5:15 am. I had just returned to the news desk with my lasagna I had nuked in the microwave. There was always a little extra time during the Mr. Food spot when a commercial would follow, giving us about 4-5 minutes. This was just long enough to heat up some food and make it back to the news desk. This particular morning, I had made it back with a little time to spare, so I went to the back to check my makeup and spray my hair before heading to the desk. When I arrived, it was sitting just where I had left it.

My co-anchor, Bob Snell, was adjusting his jacket and flipping through his pages, just as he always did.

We were back on air, both delivering the news about what was happening around the community and the world. Everything was just as it was every other morning.

Commercial break.

I dipped my fork in my lasagna and took a bite. (And yes, I ate lasagna at 5 am) I chewed and noticed it had a funny taste. Was I imagining it? I had just cooked it the night before. It couldn’t be bad.

I took another bite.

Sure enough, there it was again. That funny taste. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but there was something not right. What was that taste? It was almost a little sweet. And was it minty?

By this time, I only had about 10 seconds left in the break. I sat down the fork, still completely confused at what was going on with my food and prepared for the next block of news.

We read through a couple of stories and then it was time for a package. This is a story from a reporter where the anchors aren’t on camera and don’t speak for about 2-3 minutes.

I exclaimed my distaste for the lasagna and tried to explain what was wrong with it. I kept trying to get Bob to taste it, but he refused.

Something was definitely wrong with my lasagna.

Another block of news and then we had a break. I took one more little taste of it and made a disgusted face. I can’t remember if Bob busted out laughing or if someone gave him up, but the secret came out.

Those stupid Listerine breath strips.

Bob used those things every morning. I mean, I was grateful and all that he was concerned for our well-being, but…

The breath strip was the perfect plan because it dissolved and there was no evidence left except the taste.

He laughed until he cried.

The feud was on.

But as the viewer, you had no idea what was really going on behind the scenes. The treacherous schemes and underhanded plays. I had to be vigilant. I had to be ready, because at any time, my enemy could pounce.

We had a good laugh. Those days were full of antics and craziness. They had to be! We were up at 2:30 am! This funny memory popped into my head this morning as I was reading. While Bob was not truly my enemy, we do have one that lurks in the darkness, waiting to destroy us.

“And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand. And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely. And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him. And they laid their hands on him, and took him.” (Mark 14:41-46)

This was the moment of truth. The enemy was near. Jesus knew it. He told His disciples it was time, and then, it happened.

Judas kissed the cheek of Jesus and the guards took hold of Him.

Can you imagine the surprise of the disciples?! This was Judas, their friend! He was their trusted treasurer. How could he have done this? They saw what went on before their eyes, but they had no idea what was happening behind the scenes. While they slept and Jesus prayed, Judas was seeking how he could steal, kill and destroy Jesus.

Why?

Because that’s what the enemy does. He prowls around, waiting for his unsuspecting victim.

But to his surprise, Jesus was not caught off guard and He was not a victim. The disciples had slept while Jesus prayed. The disciples were caught off guard by the enemy, but Jesus wasn’t.

He had warned them to be vigilant, to pray because the enemy was always waiting to tempt them.

Just as we are warned today.

We have an enemy, just ask they did, seeking to steal from us, to kill us, and to destroy us and our testimony for God. Satan can be waiting in the shadows for that perfect moment when we are unsuspecting and our guard is down. So what can we do to withstand the enemy?

Watch and pray.

Just as Jesus had commanded.

Pray over your marriage, your children, your church, your pastor, your finances, our nation, pray over each thing knowing that our enemy seeks to destroy it. Pray that we would be mindful, always watching, and to stand for what’s right.