There is a breed of goat with a gene mutation that causes the animal to faint when excited. They have even been known to pass out when it is time to eat because they are so thrilled to see their food.
The scientific name is Myotonic, but they are more commonly referred to as the fainting goats, a domestic breed whose muscles freeze for about 10 seconds when they are startled or excited. I guess it is like a giant Charlie horse without the pain. When agitated, the entire herd just keels over. Enter a small preschool class eager for show-and-tell.
The kids were primed to see the “fainting” goats, but kids being kids, the excitement was way over the top. At the first boisterous squeal, the entire herd dropped to the ground. The students, of course, were devastated and quite sure they had killed the animals. The silence in the classroom was palpable. In the hushed room the goats began to revive and the kids became ecstatic. “We’re not in trouble! The goats are alive!”
A shout of relief and impromptu handclapping — and you guessed it; the goats were down for the count. This vaudevillian comedy act could have gone on forever had it not been for the quick intervention of the teacher and the owner of the herd.
The Bible gives us a glimpse of a fainting herd with the story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17 — not the narrative of the two central characters, but that of the army of Israel, watching from the sidelines with collective muscle freeze. For 40 days, Goliath had been taunting the army of God, and for 40 days no one made a move in response to the giant’s offer for a one-on-one fight to end the war. Each day after the mocking challenge, Goliath left. The valley once again became silent and life for the fainting herd returned to normal. Until the next day when it began all over again.
Finally, David arrives and intervenes to stop the dishonor of God’s name among the nations. David knows how to deal with muscle spasms and fear, with wild lions and hungry bears. “Hear my cry, O God; Give heed to my prayer. From the end of the earth I call to Thee when my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For Thou hast been a refuge for me, a tower of strength against the enemy.” (Psalm 61:1-3) A battle cry and declaration of dependence upon God, a small smooth stone and it’s all over except for the revived herd racing to secure the victory.
What made the difference? The situation was the same and Goliath certainly hadn’t changed. It was David and what he knew about the faithfulness of God. He had learned to call upon God when his heart was faint, when there was agitation in his life or when there was anxiety. Instead of freezing up and becoming totally useless to himself or anyone else, he turned to God, his refuge and his only strength against whatever enemy he might be facing.
Have you ever felt like a fainting goat? I have. Ever been paralyzed with indecisiveness as you watch all systems begin to shut down? Startled by the unexpected? How about brain freeze in the face of overwhelming decisions that need to be made? Cry unto God, your refuge and tower of strength. We are told in 1 Corinthians 16:13 to “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” Instead of hitting the deck, hit your knees.
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