Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I stepped outside to see how God was knitting this morning together and it didn’t take long to feel the burn of the morning sun on my face. The haze over the fields is a sure sign that it’s destined to be a hot and humid day and even the wildlife will be looking for refuge in the shade. This lone deer wasn’t quite sure where it wanted to go – should she choose the comfort of the shady spots or should she head toward the sunny field for nourishment even though the heat will make it uncomfortable? She danced back and forth between the shady spots and the sun as if she couldn’t decide until she finally headed toward the shade. The dark shadows, the sunny fields, and a deer that could decide which side it wanted to be on reminded me of the Journey of Life. Today darkness is occupying more and more of our “fields” and yet so many people are lost and can’t decide which way to go – hiding in the shadows of darkness OR boldly walking in the sun for all the world to see. Isn’t that the way you see it too?

It’s impossible for me to comprehend how so many people professing to be people of Faith could possibly dance back and forth between the dark shadows and the Son just like this lone deer did this morning. I’m not sure if they’ve been fooled by false teaching or if they’ve never moved past the first page of the first chapter of the Bible…or maybe they aren’t people of Faith at all. There is no excuse for a child of the Living God to dance with the devil no matter how often the enemy whispers “It’s ok” and God won’t tolerate being mocked by people believing there is no end to His tolerance just because they profess to be one of His. I don’t know where they stand but I DO know they keep me busy these days praying and appealing to them to make an eternal Choice once and for all. Although the dark shadows of this dark world appear to be occupying more and more space these days as more and more people sell out to the shade, the darkness doesn’t win…and the darkness is nothing to be feared with God on our side. His word says, “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore”. With a Protective God like that on our side, who in their right mind would choose to linger in the dark shadows in this Journey called Life?

As for me, I’ll fight every day of my life to draw closer to the Son and I’ll not hesitate to warn others about the dangers of the dark shadows. There is nothing for me to fear because the Lord surrounds me. There is no excuse for me to accept the dark shadows as the “norm” or to get on board with evil agendas in the name of “acceptance” or “compassion”. These are serious times and I’m doing Serious Business in His Name because “I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day”.

What’s it going to be for you? Will you dance with the devil in the dark shadows because you believe you can pitch it to God OR will you square your shoulders and lift your chin high because you find peace, comfort, joy, love, protection, provision, and Eternity in the Son as a Child of the Living God?

If you have doubts about where you stand or you’re going back and forth like this lone deer, we need to talk.