Living Through Minefields

There’s an article in my files somewhere about WWII Navy reenactment at the waterfront in Gig Harbor. Back in the ’80s, I think. Air balloons were weighted down with a string and rocks to simulate unwater mines. Each ship had a thumbtack taped to the hull and keel. Then, radio-controlled ships would travel the waterfront simulating WWII battles. No one knew in advance the location of the mines. The “air explosion” looked like an underwater mine exploded if the tack popped the balloon. You beached your ship, showing it was out of action.

Mines are not funny. They are serious business. It’s estimated over 110,000,000 landmines are in the ground. [Source] Their cost? Less than a dinner out. Their extraction? 100 times more expensive to remove than to plant. Thousands are killed or maimed every year.

Most mines are “single use only,” while others create chain reactions. Some operate by weight, pressure, and proximity. Regardless, they are meant to deter and destroy. In a minefield, there is no safety nor peace.

I’ve stood at a fence, much like the picture in this post, and read a similar sign. Danger. Minefield.

Minefields exist everywhere, and they are not used only in war.

Here’s My Thought

Minefields are not just a military item. Our connection and relationship with each other can be construed as a “mine” just waiting to explode, weighted conversations or connections. Pressure driven. Even just by proximity, there is danger.

Sometimes you are at fault. You plant them hoping someone walks into the field, and without warning, they are the victim. Sometimes you are the victim.

You may find conversations laced with a minefield of words and thoughts. What is said, not said, and ignored. We can lay the trap hoping someone steps onto the mine! Bam! Gotcha! It is always possible that someone else’s trickery victimizes us, or we lay the trap for others.

Often, minefields are created as a protective barrier around a treasure or a safe place. Whether deadly or not, they may be warning signs of imminent danger. Think motion-detecting security lights at your home! Minefields are meant to deter and destroy. There is no safety nor peace for anyone in a minefield.

Regardless, you must know the key to walk through any minefield without damage. There may be a map, or their placement is strictly random. One wrong step that’s all it takes. Someone with knowledge may lead you through the minefield. Safe!

Life Is Replete With Minefields

Minefields are not just physical locations, but you can find mines in words, attitudes, deeds, and even people. Who and what do you trust? How do you make it through? What if you misuse the authority of a name or a person? Minefield!

In my mind, I remember events where, like a minefield, one misstep and you lose! Tread lightly. Walk cautiously. Carry a big stick all you want, use someone’s name with impunity, and it will not matter. All it takes is a look, smirk, or phrase. Boom!

I heard this scripture over the weekend.

Many will say to Me in that day,
‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name,
cast out demons in Your name,
and done many wonders in Your name?’
And then I will declare to them,
‘I never knew you; depart from Me,
you who practice lawlessness!’
(Matthew 7:22-23 NKJV)

Whoa! It’s not that you attempted to do something with the authority of the name of Jesus. You practiced lawlessness when you did so! The new church had a similar problem with a man who had a history of sorcery. He became a believer and was baptized. When Peter and John showed up and prayed for people to receive the Holy Ghost, he tried to purchase the power. “Thy money perish with thee!” Minefield! You cannot buy this kind of power! (Acts 8)

One of the tragedies of life is misunderstanding someone else and stepping into another’s minefield, or by creating one, you will cause irreparable damage to many innocents. It’s not so much about you. Minefields hurt “them” so much more.