Beware of Road Kill

I’ve just returned from a road trip to Atlanta to help my daughter move to a new house. I was surprised to see how many animals were lying dead by the road. I saw deer, armadillos, rabbits, possums and raccoons. It seemed to me more than the usual amount of road kill. Why?  Then, the Lord began to speak to me an encouragement for us all.

Traveling Route 66 is a lot like any other highway; speeding is prevalent, traffic can be heavy and weariness can settle in. But it’s the little animals which jump out unexpectedly that can do the most damage. As you’re traveling through God’s Word, be sure to keep your eyes alert to the dangers lurking just out of sight. These animals are like distractions which come from no where and cause you to swerve to the right or the left. Usually the car isn’t damaged greatly, but it leaves the driver shaken up and disoriented. How do you continue on the path marked out for you avoiding such accidents? The best preventive is to know the dangers are there and watch for them. Practically these can be: Mood Swings, Depression, Discouragement, Lethargy, Apathy or even Cynicism. As you’re reading the Bible pay attention to the reaction your flesh is having to the Truth. You may not even be comprehending the verses you’re reading, yet the enemy is lurking hoping the throw you off course.

In driver’s ed class we were taught to never swerve to miss an animal for this is when the worst accidents occur. It is best to keep your hand on the wheel and drive straight ahead. Yes, the animal will most likely be killed, but you will be spared allowing your journey to continue. Your car may have many dents, but this is part of the journey, and gives us a story to share with others when they’re struggling in a similar way.

So, today if you don’t feel like reading your daily portion of Scripture–do it anyway. It is best to keep our hands on the wheel and drive forward no matter what gets in the way. Road kill happens, but how you handle it makes all the difference.

J.C. Ryle offers this essay on Fighting The Unholy Trinity. How fitting that this arrived in my inbox this morning.