Wildlife has no better friend than our brother Luther Baker, well-known and respected in these parts as a self-taught naturalist. Among the objects of his beneficence are the thousands of wild ducks and geese that make Luther’s pond their fall stop-over for rest and refreshments. Where else could a travel-weary and gun-shy goose find such accommodations? In addition to the pond’s relative safety, Luther sprinkles its surface with store bought grain often enough to tempt the shyest of hungry birds. You’d think such a fowl-haven would soon be filled with permanent boarders, but the wild birds soon get itchy wings and move on, leaving the little oasis to Luther’s small flock of domesticated ducks and geese. All move on, that is, except this one Canadian goose who, a few years back, apparently decided that integration was better than migration. A decision that was, no doubt, influenced by an injured wing. So Lessie, as Luther calls her, stayed on even if with reluctance at first. By the time her wing healed, Lessie was on pretty good “quacking” terms with the little flock of strangers she had once avoided. Flights of wild birds still come and go, but Lessie stays— now as much “at home” with the tame as once with the wild; now a friend to strangers and a stranger to friends.

Like Luther’s goose, Christians are apt to “light” among strangers and circumstances that could hinder their heavenward journey. Not that necessary associations with the ungodly are wrong (1 Cor. 5:10), but even these can easily become unnecessary but desirable alliances to tempt and weaken God’s people. Through persistent and indiscriminate mixing with the ungodly (including the “moral” ungodly), the once-reluctant saint comes to feel more “at home” where he shouldn’t. Gradually, but surely, the words and examples of worldly associates exert their weakening influence. Getting along in this crowd is no problem— so long as you leave spiritual values and subjects at home; so long as you don’t “let your light shine” (Matt. 5:16; Phil. 2:15). Meanwhile, having made friends with such strangers, the Christian “Lessie” now becomes as a stranger to his godly friends. He may tolerate, but does not appreciate their warnings of concern and is likely to be critical of God’s people while defending Satan’s. Such has been the end of many good brethren who ignored God’s warning: “Be not deceived: Bad company corrupts good morals” (1 Cor. 15:33, NASV). Let’s learn a lesson from Lessie!          Dan S. Shipley  [Previous Article] [Next Article]

	Created on 28-Nov-00	Page last updated