Don't Pass the Buck

 

Don't pass the buck, stop and watch him and you will surprised at what you can learn.

As I was sitting at the table this morning enjoying a cup of coffee, something caught my attention from the dining room window.  I looked up and saw a deer grazing along our fence line.  As I watched, I noticed another one nearby.  There were several trees and brush in that area so I was looking intently, trying to see if anymore were wearing "cammo" in the brush.  Sure enough, I spotted two more.  Before long one  bigger deer came into view.  Now there were five; two younger ones (probably the fawns we had seen in the Spring), two midsized deer and one large one.  Their coats were much darker than they had been in the spring and summer and I realized they are harder to spot during hunting season.

I have been seeing deer in our back yard for all of the 13 years we have lived here.  The excitement never grows dim.  It's always, "wow, look, there are deer right there".  This morning as I was thinking  of God's wonderful creation, I wondered what could I learn from this beautiful creature.

In relating this sighting to my husband,Ed, later this morning, I again questioned what could I learn from a deer.  Then it hit me.  The deer are always alert, always watching.  Even as I was watching them, the two smallest deer were startled by something and dashed into the woods.  There were a lot of leaves falling and I think that was the cause.  The older deer recognized that it was only leaves and continued to graze.  Before long the two returned to the group.

All of the deer were turning their ears like miniature radar screens, looking around and lifting their noses to scent any sign of danger.  They weren't anxious while they were doing this, but they appeared to be peacefully grazing while being aware of their surroundings.

The Bible tells us that there is one who comes to steal, kill and destroy.

"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."   John 10:10

That one is Satan, he hates it when a person accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior and he will try to steal the blessings that Our Father has provided for us.  He will try to kill our ministry to others.  He will try to destroy our reputations, our marriages, our health and our testimonies of God's goodness.  Please notice that I said he will try.  Our Father provides us with weapons of warfare.

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints"  Eph.6:10-18

This doesn't mean we have to live in worry and fear.  What we have to do is turn our lives completely over to God.  We have to believe that He is who He says He is and we have to believe that we are who He says we are.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths."  Pro 3:5-6

"Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:7

Just as those deer could move slowly and peacefully along the fence line, picking out just the right tasty morsel; we can have peace in our hearts no matter what may be going on around us.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:6,7

We do have to remain alert to the schemes of the devil but we also want to be waiting and watching for Jesus to return.

"For I know that my Redeemer lives,
And He shall stand at last on the earth;
And after my skin is destroyed, this I know,
That in my flesh I shall see God,
Whom I shall see for myself,
And my eyes shall behold, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me!" Job 19:25-27