WHEN MY friends saw my black eye they had to ask if my wife had gotten angry with me, or how the other fellow looked. I almost let these remarks pass, in order to avoid the embarrassing truth.

One morning while jogging, I suddenly found myself flat on my face on the pavement. I thought the blow might have loosened a tooth, but the only visible damage was a bleeding lip. I would like to say I hit a pothole, or an uneven place in the street, but I can't. The road was as smooth as this piece of paper. Honestly, I haven't the foggiest notion why I fell.

I have spent a lot of time reflecting on this event. When all seemed well, without warning, all went wrong. I think there is a spiritual truth here. As wonderful as it is to be a Christian and to know life is going well, an important part of our faith is being prepared for the unexpected. Complacency opens us to the attacks of the enemy, who, I suspect, prefers to assault us when we are unaware.

We should not live in constant apprehension. Neither should we get too cozy in Zion. "Keep the faith  regardless" is a motto we should never ignore!