With the arrival of October, many are heading into the woods in pursuit of big game. Squirrel and dove seasons have been in for several weeks and today marks the opening of archery season for deer, bear, and turkey. The drop in temperatures certainly is a welcome change as the wildlife will be moving much more than during the warm muggy weather earlier this week.
The beginning of bow season reminds me of a very comical event I witnessed while hunting a few years back. A small six point buck had come within forty yards of my tree stand. I had my sights set on something nicer and so I decided to pass, but I really enjoyed watching the youngster saunter through munching on acorns and checking the wind. He apparently hadn’t smelled me and seemed very relaxed as he meandered along. I dreamed how much larger he might be the next year if he dodged all of us that fall.
Suddenly, one of those acrobats apparently missed his trapeze and began falling like a rock. Remarkably, upon hitting his leaf-covered circus floor, he bounced and took off as if nothing had happened. I’m sure he felt it the next morning, however.
Simultaneously, a few fox squirrels were putting on quite the acrobatic show dancing through the treetops. Their incredible ability to jump from limb to limb, scamper up and down, and chase one another incessantly is always entertaining.
The hilarious aspect was that when the bushy tailed gymnast hit the ground, he scared that buck half to death. Having landed only ten yards away and since deer are ever alert for possible danger, Mr. Buck didn’t hang around to investigate. In a flash, he white flagged the area, poured on the steam, and made for the hills.
In all reality, the inept performer posed no threat to the buck whatsoever. Outweighing the little guy by over ten thousand percent, and equipped with sharp hooves for stomping and killing, the whitetail had every imaginable advantage. Except in his mind. Fear had preconditioned him for flight and the smallest thing, no matter how innocent, triggered his speedy departure.
As I’ve thought about this comical interaction between woodland species, I’ve been struck by how we too are controlled by our fears. Many times we go about our daily routines on heightened alert with anxiety coursing through our bodies just waiting for the other squirrel to drop. This causes us to overreact to small and harmless incidents by fighting or fleeing. Either response indicates an oversensitivity that steals our joy and peace and damages our relationships with others.
Admittedly, the six-pointer did have some legitimate concern. During deer season, there could be a hunter around any tree and he likely could not comprehend God’s promises for oversight and protection.
We, however, are different. Although there are real issues that should rightfully concern us, most are just falling squirrels. Even the serious ones are still under the sovereign control of a loving and wise God who has promised to never allow anything to harm us without His cause or consent. Job’s story illustrates clearly that even our archenemy must obtain our Father’s permission before touching a hair of our heads, much less our health or family.
Certainly there are times when it seems God has allowed too much or fallen asleep at the switch. But over and over again, He assures us in His Word that His plans and purposes are for our benefit and beyond our understanding. As such, we Christians should not be controlled by our fears or emotions but rather by the peace of God that should rule in our hearts. We either allow Jesus to control our fears, or, like the buck, our fears control us.
As we enjoy the cooler autumn temperatures, let’s thank God for the change of seasons and realize He ultimately controls every event in the universe. Knowing that provides great peace and protects us from being frightened by clumsy squirrels.
Autumn blessings, George