The Snake Line

I was at a conference recently and the speaker talked about hiking in the mountains, where there was a point that was called the snake line.  It meant that once you hit a certain altitude the snakes did not go above it.  I’m sure there is some scientific reason why, like oxygen levels or something.  But in life we need to live above the snake line where Satan lives.  So how is that done?  

It is funny because about the time I hear a new message, I usually get the chance to try it on, if you know what I mean.  I have had much adversity come against me recently and I was teetering between situational and chemical depression.  The following is how the Lord helped me to stop the descent and claim my peace.

I believe the snake line is the place you choose to go if you engage in the “world” about situations and circumstances you can’t control.  For example: Worrying about what other people think.  Or obsessing about what may happen in the future, or rehashing injustices from your past. Then you have dipped below the snake line and have opened yourself up to be bit.

Our battle isn’t against flesh and blood, so to engage with flesh and blood about things you can’t do anything about will cause you to become entangled in the snare set by “thee” snake.  I needed to focus on what Jesus says about me. That is what it is to have the mind of Christ.  I have had to tell myself numerous times daily that I am loved, I am worthy, I have value, I am fearfully and wonderfully made, I am the righteousness of God in Christ, I am redeemed, I am blessed, I have favor, I am a good wife, friend, daughter and person. I exhibit the fruit of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

I had a choice to make, to choose life. The strangest thing happened, when I spoke these things out loud I would feel my peace return. I did not have peace when I started, instead I began with names and faces with which I had issues popping up in my mind.  But I choose not to go there, by turning down the fight and remaining with God with my head in the clouds, above the snake line. Nothing—absolutely nothing—changed in my immediate circumstances except that the situation did not escalate either, it sort of smoldered out.  

Think about this for a minute. You have a choice to be in the mind of Christ; why would you ever choose to go and fight below the snake line?  I have to admit it can be cleverly disguised, but as a believer we are to have the mind of Christ, we have been given it.  I had to make a clear and definitive decision over and over as I faced the lure to draw me down.  I did not want to get sucked into that pit and enter a place that only offers death.  I did not want to cross the snake line but chose to enjoy the peace and serenity of His company with the promise that the battle below couldn’t touch me.  Maybe only people who have suffered from depression can understand this as it would seem like, why would someone make any other choice.  It is just a lot more complicated than at first glance. God said in the Old Testament,  “I set before you life and death, choose life.” Above the snake line is life, below is death.  I’m choosing life and to live above the snake line if I have to make that decision 100 times each day.

For some time now, I have loved and been fascinated with the Scripture about Peter walking on water.  I think he was able to because while he was focused on Jesus he walked on the water.  When he took his mind off Jesus and went below the snake line (onto the wind and waves, including his audience) he began to sink.  I have often found it interesting of what the other disciples in the boat were thinking. “Oh, Peter you can’t do that!  Who do you think you are?  Is he crazy? Look he’s walking on water.  How is he doing that?  I want to walk on water too.  Oh no, he’s going down.  We were right.”  Peter may have had “little faith” as Jesus said as he began to sink but the ones who never got out of the boat had even less.  I think the key is to get out of the boat, keep your mind focused on Christ and just keep walking.

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Do you see the part in the Scripture above that reads, “Against such things there is no law.”  When your mind is above the snake line the enemy can’t touch you.  He can only touch you if you stoop to his level. I don’t know if I’m just having an epiphany moment here, but why would anyone choose to go to his level?  Be in the world but not be of it.  

There is freedom above the snake line. Walk in it.