Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s a new day of a new week and I’m off to an uncharacteristically slow start…but that’s okay. The deer didn’t seem to notice that I was later than “usual” when they showed up to graze outside the kitchen window and I’m sure the Living God didn’t think “she’s late!” Psalm 139 says; You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar” So, no matter how slow I am in getting started this morning, He already knows that He was the first thought I had when I opened my eyes on this new day. No matter how slow I am to go to my quiet place this morning to declare my Love for Him, He already knows I Love Him because He’s already searched me He knows me. As long as I show up and I’m eager to “graze” just like this herd is, He’ll Feed me and Fill me with Truth. Isn’t that the way you see your Journey too?

Some people say that the “greatest sin” is religiosity and I don’t think that’s not too far from the truth. Religiosity gives birth to legalism where “law and order” override Love. Religiosity is what causes people to put God in a neat little box, and religiosity is what keeps Him there until it’s His allotted time. Religiosity is what sets hard and fast rules for what acceptable behavior looks like and religiosity has little room for Compassion. Religiosity is the founder of “tough love” and religiosity has guidelines for forgiveness. Religiosity sets schedules that are “sinful” to break and religiosity puts more value on its real estate than it does its people. Religiosity is the “ultimate authority” on all other denominations and it’s not afraid to criticize its brothers and sisters because of its “expertise.” Religiosity is sure to have its house in order where women quietly serve in the background and children are to be seen and not heard. Religiosity is a dangerous thing and I never want to fall prey to its snares. So, when I’m off to a slow start I try to look at life like this small herd of deer does… knowing that it’s not possible to be “late” for God and confident that He has already Searched me and Knows my every thought and my every need.

We could learn a lot from a herd of dear like how to take it easy and enjoy God’s blessings and how NOT to fret over provisions. We could learn a lot from how they stick together even though they don’t all look or act the same because they know they’re stronger together than they could ever be on their own. When they’re herding together they don’t much care about who the others “belong to” or what side of the field they were born on. When danger shows up, they don’t hesitate to stick their white tails up as high in the air as they can to warn the others of danger and to make sure their young can see them ahead in the tall grass. How sad it is that a simple deer is willing to warn other deer about upcoming danger and yet professed Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ refuse to warn others about Hell.

I’m off to a slow start but I’m Overflowing with Love and Gratitude for the Creator of all things after my time with Him just like I always am. I strive to live my life a lot like this herd of deer…patient and confident that “all things will be added unto me” and never fretting for my provisions. I won’t hesitate any more than a deer does to WARN others about how dangerous the road is up ahead for those who don’t Believe. I don’t care what they look like or where they’re from. I don’t care if they’re good, bad, or ugly. Religiosity will never be my friend and I pray for the ones caught up in its snares as much as I pray for the ones that haven’t been introduced to the King yet. He’s already searched me and He knows that He was my first thought when I opened my eyes this morning, and He Knows that He’ll be my last thought as I close my eyes tonight. He’s already searched me and He knows I mourn for the lost ones. He’s already searched me and He knows that I’m a Willing Vessel…one willing to run with the “Danger” Message just like He tells us to.

How about you? When He searches you, what does He see?

Psalm 139
1 You have searched me, Lord,
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue