Like a Deer in the Headlights

Did you hear about the deer who was too scared to move  that a trooper had to literally pick it up and move it off the road? Look at this video of it !!   http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/mich_thumb/video-deputy-picks-up-deer-moves-it-from-road      Amazing !!!    Poor Bambi, huh? The deer was frightened, apparently due to an accident and was just so scared it couldn’t even move.   Wonder if that’s where the expression comes from “frozen in the headlights”? Hmm !

This poor critter, so traumatized and paralyzed by what it saw was unable to move or process correctly. So much so that even when a human being approached her basic instinct to run from man was neutralized for a bit.  In similar fashion that can happen to us in varying degrees.  We are ill treated by another person and instead of processing it properly we start to fear ministering to people lest they hurt us further.  The Bible states that forgiveness and obedience to God’s Word rather than our feelings are key in such situations.   But look at what happened to Paul, then what he did about it: “And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium who persuaded the people, and, having STONED Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.”  (Acts 14:19-20).

Paul’s actions were not that of a dazed and confused man (or deer), but instead he went right back at preaching and into the very place where they had sought to kill him !  Most Christians, when ill treated for doing right, would say “I’m done” or before that “What did I do to deserve this?” “That’s what I get for doing right?”   And we’re “frozen” as far as ministry or even joy ! Satan has stopped us in our tracks.  Paul persisted because he was called to serve a great God amongst people – eh, not so great, but to strive to make them great (like Christ).  He kept his eye on the goal not the accidents along the way.

Ironically, one of Paul’s greatest disciples would come from this very town ~ Timothy !!!   Not a coincidence.  So keep doing what’s right even when it’s frightening, there’s no telling how it will affect others for good and ultimately glorify God !