White-Tailed Buck
John Miller
12/11/20
- Windstream Mail
R E F L E C T I O N S Thoughts on nature and the Christian faith - 12/7/20 ________________________________________________________________________ "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. " - II Pet. 3:18 |
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To my mind, there are few creatures more majestic that a mature white-tailed buck. I have found a place in a neighboring county where hunting is not allowed and as a result the deer can live out their life spans without fear. I often go there and watch the overgrown fields either early in the morning or late in the afternoon to photograph. In areas where hunting is allowed most deer are fortunate if they live more than a couple of years. This fellow still has many years left to live and is on his way to becoming a truly spectacular animal. I was concealed in some brush wearing camouflage and so was never seen. And besides, he was fixated on three does that had just entered the field. I am glad that there are places where animals can feed and mature in safety. I wish there were also more places like that for Christians. To grow in grace and knowledge we need both proper food and also a sanctuary free of heretical teaching. When the gospel is distorted the people die. What is sad is that the leaders of churches which distort the gospel never realize that distortion is being taught because they have bought into a faulty theology. These kinds of churches never delve deeply into scripture, never read viewpoints different than their own, and never promote honest questioning. Church history is full of brilliant thinkers whose insights into scripture have literally rescued the church from apostasy time after time. Distorted thinking is never changed unless it is challenged. In an environment where questioning is encouraged and where distortions are readily recognized and lovingly corrected by mature leaders is an environment where growth is inevitable. Like this buck, a mature Christian is a wonderful thing to behold. Find a church where you can actually grow and mature in grace and knowledge. - John
