“Nyoka, Nyoka,” the deadly words split the evening air like
knives, as the bearer of the news ran helter-skelter up the path he had just
peacefully gone down minutes before.
All was astir around the once calm compound, as the
inhabitants grabbed for pangas (the African machete) and dashed down the hill after Emmanuel.
The air rushed through my hair and my skirt must have looked
like a billowing torrent as I ran. And then suddenly there it was, the place of
keen anticipation, it looked dead alright, and big, maybe about 6ft long.
Simba, our dog danced excitedly around my feet and barked
with great delight each time the snake was poked. We wanted to watch the
progress of the dyeing nerves. But then we realized something was not right.
Like a flash Collince our African helper, stooped and picked
up a large stone. Quickly, and with much force, the stone landed squarely on
the head of the black mamba, crushing the very life out of the ugly deceiver.
Just like that black mamba, we each have sin in our lives.
And too many times we leave just a hint still alive, and play with it. But just
like Collince, we must take hold of the rock on which we are builded, and claim
the help of Jesus Christ who is mighty to save, to crush out the life of our
pet sins, that will no doubt come back to bite us with their deadly venom and
keep us from eternal life.
