“Goat” Wisdom

Two mountain goats meet each other on a narrow ledge just wide enough for one of the animals to pass.  On the left was a sheer cliff, on the right a deep lake.  The two faced each other.  What should they do?  They can’t back up it was too dangerous.  They can’t turn around the ledge is too narrow.

Now, if the goats had no sense, they would butt heads until one of them fell into the lake below, but goats have better sense than that.  One lies down on the trial and lets the other literally walk over him, and both are safe.  One of them lies down to let the other one pass—that’s “goat sense,”  and it is not too common.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:39-41, “But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil.  But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.  And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.  And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.”

Jesus is saying a Christian should be strong enough to suffer wrong for the good of others.  This is not an easy teaching and it is even harder to apply.  But if we are going to model our life around His, it is something we need to start learning how to do.