Moose Attack

Consistency: It's a great attribute.

While I was in Newfoundland some time ago preaching from Marystown in the south right up to St. Anthony in the north, I saw an admirable example of consistency. Almost every pastor, after the service was over, and when we were leaving in the car, would say, "Watch out for the Moose!" It was a warning of course, since there have been many serious accidents caused by moose unexpectedly running out of the trees into a speeding car or truck. Moose are big, and it's a good warning to take seriously! I'm told they can be stupid/aggressive and very dangerous.

Other than two fleeting glimpses between midnight and four in the morning while driving to our next preaching appointment, the only moose we saw was served to us on a dinner plate. I was disappointed of course: I wanted to see the biggest and baddest moose in Newfoundland please excuse me for being very normal.

While driving at night, we almost strained our eyes looking for moose. But after a few uneventful hours, you tend to relax. And that is exactly when we saw the two fleeting glimpses: after our guard was down, and we had been lulled into disinterest and doubt that there were any moose anywhere.

And isn't the Christian life about like that at times? All the warnings we receive from the Word of God to be cautious of the dangers on the road of life, but when nothing of any consequence happens for a while, we relax our guard - we stop looking out for the moose. Read Prov. 14:16:

"A wise man fears and departs from evil, but a fool rages and is self-confident”

Too much self confidence can be dangerous. Look at 1 Cor. 10:12:

"Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall."

These dangers can come on you unexpectedly, just when you relax and think you have everything under control. Wham, a MOOSE hits you. Read another warning in Deut. 4:9:

"Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren."

There are all kinds of moose hiding at the side of the road, ready to attack the Christian these days. Here's a short list of moose found in Luke 21:34:

"But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly."

The cares of this life - that's a moose - a BIG moose. The distractions of a self-centred life - another moose. Strong drink - that's a trophy size moose. All the sins which can take our attention and devotion away from Jesus Christ. They're moose.

And you never know in advance when they'll come out of the dark woods and interrupt you Christian journey. Read Mark. 13:33:

"Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is."

Watch out for the moose!