“The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter. ’tis the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.” Mark Twain

Watch For the Camouflage

This time of year, it's a good idea to watch yourself when you're out in the woods--especially if you're Bambi.

You see, Michigan is right smack in the middle of Firearm Deer Hunting Season (it runs from November 15-30, if you're curious), and those hunters could be anywhere.

I'm not a hunter, as much as that may (or may not) surprise you. Nobody in my or my husband's immediate family is either (that I know of, anyway). I don't know that I quite get the fascination that folks have with heading out with their gun and shooting animals.

But camouflage I get (and if you're curious, I JUST learned how to spell that word!). If you're gonna be out among wildlife, you definitely do NOT want to be noticed. I'm not sure how smart deer are, but if I'd seen some strange two-legged creature walking through the forest with a stick and my deer friend suddenly fell to the ground beside me, I'd want to avoid those "two-legged creatures" from then on.

But if you are camouflaged (like this... um... handsome guy to the left, for example), the prey have no reason to fear--or at least they don't think they do. The deer will put their guard down, and before they know it: bang bang, fall down, venison jerky.

This reminds me of the sin in our lives. Sometimes, it's pretty obvious, and all we have to do is run the other way to avoid it.

But that isn't always the case.
Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.  It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. 2 Corinthians 11:14-15
Satan, and sin, is often difficult to distinguish from the day-to-day stuff we do, and even the things that are glorifying to God. Doing the right thing for the wrong reasons is still wrong. Doing too much of a good thing can also be sin.

So, when things look fine, don't let your guard down. Sin is out there, disguised as fun or "not so bad" or something else equally harmless-looking. Watch for the camouflage.

Paving Rough Roads With God's Presence

6 comments:

  1. What a great comparison Joanne!

    I married a hunter. Yes, he shoots little Bambi's Mommy, Daddy, Aunts, and Uncles. I have two of them staring at me right now (not to mention the wild boar on our wall too). Sigh!

    Thankfully, my husband rarely has time to hunt anymore -- and thankfully he doesn't wear stuff like that. lol

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  2. Great comparison! (Oh -and I wrote that before I saw that Beth's comment started the same way. LoL)

    Deer are everywhere right now. My mom hit one a few weeks ago and it did some pretty good damage to her car. I also just read in the news about a girl who died because the car in front of her hit a deer and it flew into her windshield, causing her to lose control. So tragic...

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  3. I'm no hunter either Joanne but I love the analogy you provided. As you said, sometimes are righteous acts camouflage impure motives.

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  4. Seems like I hear gun shots almost year-round here. I don't think the hunters here pay attention to the seasons that much, or maybe bird hunting has a longer season?

    Anyway, cool analogy and that mossy guy looks almost like Big Foot.

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  5. We are to be alert and ready, physically and spiritually, for sure.

    Nik was driving Jim home Sunday night from Chicago where they had just visited me in the hospital. Our 17 year old LOVES Chicago driving. Anyway, closer towards home Nik threw on the brakes and Jim questioned what he was doing. Right on the interstate a couple of deer ran in front of him. Good thing the boy was driving! :)

    Thanks for sharing, Jo. Very good analogy, as always.

    Luvs!

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  6. You shared some good advice here! We should never let our guard down. Satan is the master of deception!

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