Bighorn Surprise
Matt Miles • April 23, 2021
On a recent trip to the great state of Montana, we experienced the Lord working in people’s lives. In the midst of being blessed by great hospitality and open arms from our brothers and sisters in Christ, Bob and I were far from home to accomplish a task. The Lord used us to reinforce faith in Him and His Word in mighty ways. We saw strongholds, from big to small, of evolutionary worldviews broken down and filled with the Truth instead. The freeing was visible on many faces, with a renewed excitement for the Lord’s Word and study.
While in Montana we also had the opportunity to observe wildlife we don’t experience often here in Oklahoma. For Bob, a bighorn sheep was on the list. So, one afternoon we were shown a herd of these majestic sheep - not on the side of a mountain, not on a mighty cliff face, not at high altitude after a strenuous hike… but in the chain-link fenced backyard of a subdivision house. Not exactly where we expected to see them, to say the least. Evidently, this is a common occurrence during this time of year as they forage the greening grass and flowering plants in yards. This was not the most impactful site for me that afternoon, though.
As the herd peacefully grazed in this nice suburban backyard, they didn’t seem to notice or care about us on the street. Traffic came and went, slowing to observe this seemingly odd site. The sheep didn’t even seem to be concerned by the home owner working around the front yard and vehicles. Then, in a flash, the herd’s posture changed to alarm. We observed all their bighorn-adorned heads pop up and clearly observe an impending threat. In almost one fluid motion they began to move away from the house and flew over the fence. To my shock, a small white dog came running around the house, obviously upset by the sheep in its yard. (Take another look at the picture) This dog was barely taller than their ankles and could be silenced by a couple of swift kicks of a hoof, or better yet, a nice thump of a head and horn from these mighty animals. Yet, this small, high-stung vocal attacker fooled the sheep into fear and intimidation. I could only watch in total shock as the sheep didn’t stand their ground and fight but instead gave up their “green pasture” to this unworthy adversary.
O, what a truth was expressed that afternoon for each of us. During these days our adversary, Satan, is putting up a lot of bluster and intimidation. Like those sheep, many times we let that cause fear and we run from what the Lord has blessed us with. We are fooled into thinking that he (Satan) actually has more power than he does, maybe even mightier than the One who lives within us. I was reminded of 1 Peter 5:8-11 where we are reminded that in the face of suffering we are to stand firm knowing we are not alone. In the face of increasing persecution from the evil one and his minions, I urge you to stand firm. Continue LOOKING UP to the One who gives us strength and freedom from all adversaries!
Here we are again, just a few days before Christmas. It seems the old adage, “The older you get the faster time flies,” is so true. There is not a year that passes when we look back and think, “Wow, this year took forever!” History is passing by and we look forward to the new year as we continue to focus on our eternal destiny. Our theme this year has been, HISTORY & DESTINY. Christmas is a great time to reflect on these two realities. Everyone has “Christmas history”, as I term it - those moments from past Christmases that are remembered year after year. Maybe it’s a great family gathering or Christmas activity that has become a beloved tradition. All of those moments are formed by previous years’ experiences. Sometimes this season can be tough, as we may have that memory of a loved one that has passed or other difficulties that we may be facing. Christmas history is always impactful, be it good or bad. This makes me reflect on the first Christmas. For Mary and Joseph, there was no previous history like that moment, per se. Yet, the history of the prior four thousand years had been preparing for the manger, the moment in history that our Savior would be born and begin Christmas history for all of us. Whether it is acknowledged or not, without Jesus’ birth in history, none of this season happens. Each and every Christmas our desire is to make those “Christmas history” memories for our family. Our desire is to impact the future of our family, our destiny. Often our efforts fall short or are interrupted by things out of our control. In those moments, so much stress can come from our efforts not going as planned. Sometimes it ends up ruining the whole season, especially if our focus has not been on the simple fact that He was born to bring peace, not stress. Let us not forget that it didn’t start the way Mary and Joseph had planned, with no room in the inn. But the Lord provided a place for them to rest and deliver the baby. Immanuel, God with us, is the bell ringing for all eternity that started that first Christmas. Our eternal destiny hinges on whether we acknowledge who He is everyday, not just in this season. Yet, this season is most assuredly a great time to emphasize His gift of life for all eternity. Our Creator became as one of His image bearers in that stable under imperfect conditions. He joined HISTORY and DESTINY that moment in time. The years of history that prepared the world for the child born that first Christmas would give us hope for all eternity. Jesus is the marker for all history. Because of that moment in time, our life can have peace for eternity through Him. May we all focus on the culmination of HISTORY & DESTINY during our family Christmas celebrations this year. Our history is written but our destiny is hope in Jesus Christ, our Creator and Savior. Blessings this season to you and your family from all of us here at Creation Truth Foundation!