Lessons From A Crack In The Sidewalk

I went for a walk in my new neighborhood and admired the nice concrete path as I did so.  (I am told that I can go all the way to Omaha on the path.  I think I will need a bicycle for that trek.)  Anyway, I came upon a short stretch in which a crack had formed in the concrete.  The resulting growth of vegetation was predictable.

I was praying my rosary as I walked, but I had to stop for a moment to reflect upon what I was seeing.  St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians jumped into my mind in regard to putting on the full armor of God.  What happens in our spiritual journey when there is a crack in our armor? 

If we grow lax in our prayer life, what is the end result?  Does it diminish our diligence in walking with the Lord?  Prayer is a habit.  If we start skipping our prayer time on occasion, how long will it be before we grow comfortable with not praying at all?  If we fall prey to small temptations to sin, how long will it be before something else entices us into even more serious sin?  If we skip church one weekend, how easy is it to become complacent with doing that on a regular basis?

It does not take long for weeds and other vegetation to spread once they have broken through the initial crack in the concrete.  In like manner, sin can quickly spread in our lives once we have allowed a crack in our foundation. 

    Be alert!  Be watchful!  Remain steadfast in the Lord.