We’ve been living in a fairly rural part of the Pacific Northwest for nearly ten years now, and although we have many deer who frequent our yard, we have not met any on the road… until today.

Andrew, cruising along in his fun Civic Si about a mile from our house late this afternoon, slammed on his brakes as a deer bounded across the road in front of him. That deer made it across, but the buck immediately behind the first deer did not. As the rain began to fall, Andrew was able to limp his car to a nearby driveway, Holly and I and other friends showed up soon thereafter, and we began to process what just happened. Interestingly, Andrew’s girlfriend Ivy Jo just hit a deer trying to cross the freeway about a month ago. Don’t they teach deer in “elemendeery” school to avoid roads?

Although we have not heard from the insurance company yet, it is not looking good for Andrew’s Si, but we are thankful he was not hurt at all. We scooped the deer into the back of a friend’s truck, and hopefully we might get a bit of venison out of the deal.

So what is the spiritual lesson, or analogy, or something we can take away from all of this? We could talk about the time in the Lord’s kingdom when “the lame man will leap like a deer,” (Is.35:5) (although this deers leaping days are definitely done). Or perhaps how our souls pant for God “as a deer pants for flowing streams.” (Ps.42:1) Certainly we are thankful for God’s gracious care and protection for Andrew, as Ps.91:11 suggests, “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” Andrew really enjoyed his Si, but all things in this life will pass away, so we must hold them loosely and “store up treasures in heaven,” not on earth. (Matt.6:19-21)

But perhaps instead of thinking about things from our perspective, we can get into the “deer’s hooves.” He was just minding his own business, prancing along with his graceful doe, out for a late afternoon stroll, when out of nowhere… wham! He had no time to react, no final prayer to offer, no chance to get his business in order. Lights out, party over! No redo’s, no second chances to change his mind and NOT cross the road. The Bible frequently challenges believers to be alert (Eph.6:18), watchful (1 Pet.5:8), stay awake (Matt.24:42), watch and pray (Mark 14:38). God’s Word says, “It is destined for man to die once, and then to face judgment.” (Hebr.9:27) Jesus tells his followers they know neither the day nor the hour of his return. (Matt.25:13) In fact, he will come when we least expect it, like a “thief in the night,” (1 Thess.5:2), or like a black Civic Si in the dusk. Let us be ready, living each moment in the light of eternity, making the most of each day God gives us, for none of us knows when either our end will come or the Lord will return. Enough said.

This is a sobering video clip I came across many years back.