I love walking early in the morning before the world wakes up. The problem is, that some critters are awake and enjoying this time of the day too. When humans and critters meet, things may not go so well.
I’ve learned to walk with an eye for what’s around me. Whether it's snakes or armadillos or skunks, I’m watching and noticing when Chara goes crazy. Usually, that’s a sign that something is amiss nearby.
Yesterday, it was a skunk. The skunk was running down the sidewalk like he owned it. I think he did! The problem was he was flying towards us! Chara and I immediately turned and took off in the opposite direction. We beat the skunk!
I always thought that skunks were slow and lazy critters. I found out that skunks can run up to 10 miles per hour. Skunks will chase an animal or human (or both in our case) away whenever they feel threatened, especially when they have babies nearby.
We will do whatever it takes to avoid a skunk. No one wants to get skunked! Chara and I’ve dealt with getting skunked one time and one time was enough.
We can run from skunks, but we must also run from the ways WE stink things up. 2 Corinthians 6:16 says “If we belong to Jesus, we are the temple of the living God and we are sons and daughters of the Lord God Almighty.” As Christians, do we realize who we are? Do we know that our calling is to be like Christ?
Do we treat people with grace and forgiveness?
Have we stunk things up with our negative talk?
Does your time on the internet pollute our thinking?
Has “sharing” about someone (gossiping) been something you've done?
Have your grudges about this or that made you stink it up?
Has your anger and attitude affected those around you?
Maybe it’s worth taking time to look at what stinks in us. Our actions and attitudes affect our relationship with God, our relationship with others, and how we feel about ourselves. Jesus cares and longs for us to deal with the stuff in us that stinks.
Yesterday, it was a skunk. The skunk was running down the sidewalk like he owned it. I think he did! The problem was he was flying towards us! Chara and I immediately turned and took off in the opposite direction. We beat the skunk!
I always thought that skunks were slow and lazy critters. I found out that skunks can run up to 10 miles per hour. Skunks will chase an animal or human (or both in our case) away whenever they feel threatened, especially when they have babies nearby.
We will do whatever it takes to avoid a skunk. No one wants to get skunked! Chara and I’ve dealt with getting skunked one time and one time was enough.
We can run from skunks, but we must also run from the ways WE stink things up. 2 Corinthians 6:16 says “If we belong to Jesus, we are the temple of the living God and we are sons and daughters of the Lord God Almighty.” As Christians, do we realize who we are? Do we know that our calling is to be like Christ?
Do we treat people with grace and forgiveness?
Have we stunk things up with our negative talk?
Does your time on the internet pollute our thinking?
Has “sharing” about someone (gossiping) been something you've done?
Have your grudges about this or that made you stink it up?
Has your anger and attitude affected those around you?
Maybe it’s worth taking time to look at what stinks in us. Our actions and attitudes affect our relationship with God, our relationship with others, and how we feel about ourselves. Jesus cares and longs for us to deal with the stuff in us that stinks.
Now, more than ever, the world needs people who are committed to reflecting the aroma of Christ wherever we go. (2 Corinthians 2:15-17) Will you be that one?
“If we claim that we’re free of sin, we’re only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. On the other hand, if we admit our sins- simply come clean about them- he won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing. If we claim that we’ve never sinned, we out-and-out contradict God-make a liar out of him. A claim like that only shows off our ignorance of God.” 1 John 1:9
“If we claim that we’re free of sin, we’re only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. On the other hand, if we admit our sins- simply come clean about them- he won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing. If we claim that we’ve never sinned, we out-and-out contradict God-make a liar out of him. A claim like that only shows off our ignorance of God.” 1 John 1:9
Take a listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbWQV3OiRqA
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
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