Scanning the Horizon

This last Sunday, I told a story of coming eye to eye with a skunk. This was not a pleasant or meaningful moment…thank God he ran away from me. What you might not know, however, is that there are more skunks on the prowl around the church and parsonage. I’m sure they are just looking for water and food. My habit on Sunday mornings has been to walk to the church from the parsonage somewhere around 5:30am ish. After numerous recent skunk sightings, I determined to start driving again. I could only imagine what church would be like after I’d been hit with skunk stink. One particular morning after I’d determine to avoid walking, I drove up the hill, around Helping Hands, into the south parking lot and never saw a skunk. I was delighted, determining that maybe the skunk blitzkrieg was over. Imagine my disappointment when, as I drove into my parking spot, I saw a large skunk....staring at my headlights. He quickly ran into the woods…thank God.

This whole skunk situation has caused me to “scan the horizon”. When I drive, when I walk, when I’m running or even bike riding, I look for those white striped creatures by scanning the horizon. My awareness of the possibility of a beady eyed poll cat is greatly raised. This reminds me of the posture of ministry. I, on many occasions, have found myself immersed in busyness or myself. In those moments, scanning the horizon to minister to others becomes less than a blip on my spiritual radar. Curiously enough, skunk spray created such awareness in me that I always scan the horizon. May be a sense of urgency for the Gospel should also create awareness. This awareness might just cause a scanning for opportunities to ministry. They are all around us. May the Gospel…the good news of Jesus Christ…create a redeemed people that scan the horizon to minister in His Name.
“Be on guard! Be alert!....” Mark 13:33

In Jesus Christ,  Pastor David