Philippians 4:4-7
Pastor Ken’s Reflections
I drove 349 miles without seeing a deer today. Then, one mile from my house, ten deer crossed the road in front of me and I had a choice. Filling the freezer or testing the power of my brakes. I learned a few things in those brief moments, the soft brake pedal needs to be bled, the rotors and pads probably need changing, and deer want to live.
I have to admit I was surprised that the solid line of deer parted like the red sea in front of my truck, I thought that my freezer would surely be filled. Instead I have to console myself with the fact that the deer will live and my truck is whole. I really don’t need more venison in my freezer and dealing with the meat is not in my plans for this week.
In those brief moments I was aware of everything that was going on, my coffee cup is still on my floorboard, the hunting gear that lives in the back seat slid forward and my empty boxes in the bed made a lot of noise. The one thing that I noticed in my heart was what I prayed for. I did not pray to miss the deer, nor that my truck wouldn’t get destroyed, rather I prayed for God’s will to be done.
Some scripture that has been bouncing around the church and in my head these past weeks and in the coming months has been Philippians 4:4-7
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
A deer and my truck are nearly as important as my other concerns, I wouldn’t like to hit a deer, but in this life there is so much more to be concerned about. No matter our situation or what is going on in our life or how we feel, we have been called to rejoice in the Lord. Find joy in the Lord.
He is near to us, right where we are, don’t let anxiety rule your life but turn it over to God with prayer, remembering to be thankful for all He has done and will do. Trust in His power and rest in His peace, a peace that passes all understanding that resides in the salvific work of Jesus. He is at work in all things, so rejoice and allow your gentle spirit to be known to all.