[318 words]
It was early Saturday morning. The alarm clock went off and I jumped out of bed, excited at the opportunity to do a little deer hunting. I threw on every article of clothing I found that was camouflaged, grabbed my bow, and headed to my blind (small camouflaged tent). It was a perfect morning. It wasn’t too cold, and the wind was not blowing. I got to my blind just as the sun was coming up. It wasn’t very long until the first deer approached. It was a young doe. I watched that young whitetail for nearly 30 minutes. She kept looking my way, sniffing the air, and stomping her front foot into the ground in an attempt to get me to move. She was quite the vigilant deer. I just sat there, bow in hand, enjoying the morning company. I don’t believe she ever saw me, and she remained ever cautious as she walked past me and ultimately out of sight.
Deer are amazing creatures. They seem to always know when the enemy is near. So should it be for the child of God! Our enemy, Satan, disguises himself much the same was as deer hunters do. Paul writes, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:13-14 ). Indeed, Satan is a great deceiver (Rev. 12:9). That’s why it’s imperative that God’s people be ever cautious and alert. Paul again writes, “Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober” (1 Thess. 5:6). We’re to be strong and gird ourselves in the Christian armor so that we might be able to “quench all the fiery darts of the wicked” (Eph. 6:16). Don’t be fooled: Satan is lurking; thus, be ever vigilant (1 Peter 5:8).
Terry R. Townsend
Curry Church of Christ
Jasper, AL