My desire was to go into the hills again but it was wet and muddy so I knew I’d have to stay low today. At first I was alone but as I left the track and headed toward the tree line a man crossed my path. At first he was in front of me and I didn’t think anything of it. He suddenly stopped as if to look at something then quickly swung in behind me.
His actions although subtle caught my attention as no one else was around this early. Why did he want to be behind me? For all of five seconds I wondered about it. Grabbing my phone I did an about face and headed straight toward him as though I was making a call. Something was off and I erred on the side of caution. He kept walking and I didn’t have any fear about him but I was wary.
I hate a suspicious mindset but the days we walk are not without dangers. It was strange timing for me, as I’d been reminded the last couple days about a verse Mat 10:16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” I don’t want to believe there was any danger to me from this stranger but changing my direction didn’t seem like a bad idea in that moment. It was time to think more about the wisdom of serpents.