Deer Whistles

 by Macy Johnson

“The sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder.

Then Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him.”

(Exodus 19:19 NIV)

 

My husband, Jeff, reminds me to watch for deer while driving on our country roads. It is not a matter of “if” I will hit one, but “when” one will run into my car. We have both had collisions with deer in our rural Georgia community.

 

A large doe ran into my neighbor’s truck and damaged the driver’s side of his new Ford F150. When I heard the news, deer whistles popped into my mind. I opened my Amazon app and scrolled through many options. Eight small black gadgets arrived a few days later and we installed two each on our vehicles.

 

I have watched many startled deer race away from my Tahoe since I installed the whistles. Even though my human ears cannot detect their piercing cry I trust the devices to function as designed. I am more alert when I drive, and hope to alert any deer nearby.

 

My thoughts are sometimes like the wild animals who meander near the highway or run headlong across the road. When negative feelings about myself and others creep into my brain, the Holy Spirit blows a whistle into my mind’s ears. I lift my head, like an alarmed doe, and flee from danger into His arms.

 

Like frightened fawns, I need to stop what I am doing, look up, and pay attention to the warnings God sends. I am only hurting myself and my relationship with Him when I do not.

 

“Be self-controlled and alert.

Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion

looking for someone to devour.”

(1 Peter 5:8 NIV)

 

I will pay particular attention to the sirens of the Spirit that only I can hear. I hope you will, too!