What Was He Thinking?

I suspect most of you have seen the video of the man taunting the buffalo in Yellowstone Park a couple of weeks ago.  As happens often in the park, traffic had come to a stop due to some animal near the roadway.  Smart people stay in their vehicles during these times due to the unpredictability of these wild animals. But occasionally a “less than smart” (is that a kind way to put it?) individual decides to interact with nature in a more personal but definitely more dangerous way.  That happened on this particular occasion.  Raymond Reinke, age 55, was caught on video approaching the bull buffalo.  He then proceeded to wave his arms and yell at the animal.  Not surprisingly, the buffalo turned and ran with his horns lowered at Reinke.  Only at the last moment did the buffalo stop the charge, perhaps the only reason why this foolhardy tourist escaped serious injury or even death.  What in the world was Reinke thinking?  I suspect he wasn’t.  He had been stopped by authorities twice in the previous days and alcohol was a factor in both of those encounters.  So chances are pretty good that he was under the influence of “liquid courage” as he involved himself in this idiotic escapade as well.  But whatever motivated him to do what he did, it is a wonder that Reinke survived his foolishness.

While we shake our heads at this, I wonder if we end up doing the same thing in our lives spiritually.  We are warned very clearly in Scripture about the danger that our adversary, the devil, presents (1 Peter 5:8).  And thankfully, by the power of God, we do not have to cower before him.  We are instructed to resist him (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:9) but never should we underestimate him or, worse yet, taunt him.  Such foolishness just invites spiritual harm and gives an unnecessary opportunity to the one who seeks to destroy us (Ephesians 4:27).  Don’t taunt buffalos or Satan!

God loves you!

Mike