A Doe
John Miller
03/16/22
- Windstream Mail
R E F L E C T I O N S
Thoughts on nature and the Christian faith - 3/14/22
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"But now that you have come to know God, or rather to
be known by God, how can you turn back again to the
weak and worthless elementary principles of the world,
whose slaves you want to be once more? - Gal. 4:9
I photographed this doe on our property as she was leaving the darkness of the forest and going into the light of a late afternoon setting sun. Something caught her attention and she turned to look back in my direction. She paused, acted as if she was going to retrace her steps back into the darkness, but eventually resumed her walk toward the light. It was in this moment of indecision that I photographed her. The apostle Paul in the scripture cited above was warning the believers in Galatia about the danger of leaving the path toward the light and returning to the dark place they had left behind. Paul knew that this indecision, this temptation to turn back, would have ruinous results. For a Christian, remaining in the faith is often a struggle. Advancing often requires determination and self-discipline while returning promises ease and temporary pleasure. But the truth is, true freedom is only found in the light and slavery is the hidden fruit of the darkness. There is One who lives in light and calls you to the light, and another who dwells in darkness and calls you to the darkness. One promises eternal life, the other promises death. One speaks only truth, the other only lies. One is king of kings and Lord of lords. The other is a fraud. If your heart has been changed by the light it is folly to look back and disastrous to go back. This doe eventually continued her walk into the light. And it would be wise if all of us followed her. - John 
