Christian Living

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A Smelly Situation
© 2010

by

Stephen A. Peterson


While hunting for deer on the North Canadian River in Pottawatomie County in Central Oklahoma, I crossed paths with the largest skunk I have ever had the misfortune to see. As he slowly approached my position, I made certain I made no sudden or quick moves while retreating from his area. I was not about to get anywhere near a potent smelling beast whose tail appeared a foot and a half long and scent that caused every animal within its path to flee. No wonder this guy is without companions!

Although a skunk smells so bad that a majority of creatures will have nothing to do with them, they are not alone all of the time. During their mating season, female and male skunks find each other to continue the species. At that point, one of the smelliest creatures on planet earth comes close to each other. Afterward, the return to their solitary lifestyle of mostly eating whatever they can find with few other creatures bold enough to take them on.

In just about every church community, regardless of its denomination, will have a skunk or two whose tongue or behavior towards others in the church are well known. Virtually everyone gets downwind of them and does whatever they are able to avoid them. However, God allows said persons to be in our presence. And despite their smelly behavior/attitude, the Lord commands us to love them. This is despite their smelly dispositions and characters. If we are truly honest with ourselves, we would have to admit that we do not always radiate a scent pleasing to our friends and neighbors as well.

Throughout the New Testament, one of the great themes is that of love. Not a worldly love that is hedonistic, selfish and never satisfied but one that gives unconditionally and satisfying to both giver and receiver. To obtain Godly love, we must ask God to bathe us in the waters of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who directs one to cease their critical, mean spirited, sense of arrogant approaches to life and living. It is also the Holy Spirit that is the seat of love and guides one through to brotherly/sisterly love, reconciliation and peace with oneself and others—the true love sense and practice of love on earth.

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