Seeds For Thinking

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

* Barriers
* Scripture: Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you -- Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (from John 14:27., NKJV)

Talk about the need to play catch-up! There she stood, gazing over the two fences bordering the highway, ears erect, the distance between them rapidly increasing. The other deer had quickly cleared the fences, their white flag tails flashing in the morning light, and were already at the far side of the field. This one still stood, almost looking like one of those yard statues, but I wasn't about to move my car until she crossed the road. All at once, she ducked her head and went through a hole in the fence!
Once hesitant, she was now almost a blur of motion, racing after the others. I couldn't help but give a chuckle of surprise, because I fully expected her to do a follow the leader up OVER the fence.
I guess one lesson learned from this incident is to always expect the unexpected!
Deer are so plentiful in our area, and we have watched them so often, that we just normally expect them to jump fences. I counted as ten deer moved across our fields the previous evening. Up would flash their distinctive white tails, up and over the three or four fences they would go, then follow their well-worn trail into the creek bottoms where they spend their evenings.
My wife and I went out to feed our livestock one evening, and encountered two half-grown deer behind the barn. One was in the fenced lane, and panicked when we appeared. It charged the fence head-on, thrusting its head between the wires. Like a vertical trampoline, the fence bounced the deer back on its haunches. Again and again that deer charged the fence, until I became concerned that it would break its neck. We withdrew into the barn, and the pair slowly made their way along the fence. They must have finally remembered what mama had told them about fences, cleared them easily, and disappeared into the adjoining woods.
Sometimes we, too, panic when we see a barrier separating us from something we very deeply desire. Something blocking the way; a weight pulling us down. We stand, immobilized, anxious, watching our hopes dim in the distance.
When the deer in these illustrations finally realized that they had by nature the answer to the problem that confronted them, they did what God intended, and jumped those barriers!
What a panicky time when we see God seemingly fade into the distance. However, God intended by nature that we should desire Him, and come unto Him. Ask, and you will receive peace and comfort.
March 19, 2006