Taking a Licking

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

While walking through a wildlife rescue camp where I volunteered, the owner introduced me to Sheba, a Florida cougar who’d been there for years, unable to hunt on her own because of injuries.

As she basked in the sunlight of her cage, her eyes closed in lazy delight. She looked so tame.

“Would you like to touch her?” the owner said.

“Really?” I smiled, astonished.

“If you keep your hand opened flat against the bars, she’ll lick you. Just don’t let her do it too long.”

“Why is that?” I asked.

“Sheba’s tongue is like sandpaper. After three to four licks, she’ll draw blood. Once she tastes that—.

“She’s a wild animal” I smiled. “I get it.” 

I stretched forth my hand. Sure enough, after the third lick my hand had what looked like road rash. I decided that was the closest I wanted to get to a panther. It took several days for my hand to heal.

How often do we try to get as near as we can to the enemy without succumbing to his bite? Rather than running from temptation, we walk as close to the bars as we can, testing our willpower and God’s protection. When will we learn to stop playing with fire? Thankfully, he will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13).