Sound the Alarm

Recently, someone very close to me experienced a situation so alarming that I felt compelled to warn everyone I know.

This person was at a busy rest stop, taking a quick break during a long drive, when she entered the restroom and placed her purse on the metal hook installed behind the swinging stall door. It seemed like a routine, almost thoughtless action—one that most of us do without a second thought.

Many renovated restrooms now position the hook closer to the center of the door, or even on the stall’s side wall. But at this particular rest stop, the hook was set just inches below the very top of the door—a placement that would soon prove significant. Thankfully, this hook included a curled section beneath the straight bar, and she carefully looped her purse strap over that lower, more secure curve.

Suddenly, as she sat in the stall, a stranger’s hand shot over the top of the door, reaching desperately for her purse! She was confused as her heart raced, and as she realized what was happening. But because her purse was secured on the curled part of the hook—and thanks to her lightning-fast reflexes—the thief’s attempt was thwarted. Had she hung it on the straight part, and if she wasn’t paying attention to her surroundings, the purse would have been gone in seconds, along with all her identification, credit cards, and valuables.

Though nothing was taken, the chilling realization that someone had tried to rob her in such a vulnerable moment sent a cold wave of disbelief through us both. The shock lingered, weaving unease into what should have been an ordinary day. It reminded us how, even in the simplest ways, there is evil in the world. In that instant, the world seemed less safe, and the importance of vigilance became painfully clear.

The thief was cunning, targeting her at a moment when she was vulnerable, distracted, and unable to defend herself. When you’re sitting in a restroom stall, your guard is down and your belongings are often just out of reach—making it all too easy for someone with bad intentions to strike.

Just as the Bible warns that the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy, we are most susceptible to his schemes when we are caught off guard, vulnerable, and unprepared.

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 (NIV)

So here’s my warning: Don’t put yourself in a position to fall prey to such schemes. Spiritually, always put on the full armor of God and stay alert.

The Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.  ~Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV)

And on a practical note: Never place your purse on the open hook in a restroom. Instead, keep it close—perhaps on your lap or on a hook you can easily see and reach. A few seconds of caution can save you from a world of trouble.