Paul and his companions traveled throughout the regions of Phrygia and Galatia because the Holy Spirit kept them from speaking the word in the province of Asia. When they approached the province of Mysia, they tried to enter the province of Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus wouldn’t let them. Passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas instead. A vision of a man from Macedonia came to Paul during the night. He stood urging Paul, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” Immediately after he saw the vision, we prepared to leave for the province of Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them. We sailed from Troas straight for Samothrace and came to Neapolis the following day. From there we went to Philippi, a city of Macedonia’s first district and a Roman colony. We stayed in that city several days.
Acts 16:6-12
I know...I know. Those scriptures don't seem to make any sense, much less connect to anything, but bear with me while I tell a story.
Once upon a time there was a pastor who lived in downtown Pickens, SC.... If you have read any of my other blogs, it will become quite clear that I love to work in the garden. Early in September, I got an early start on my raised bed garden for the fall. The weather was perfect, and the garden looked spectacular! I had 3 different kinds of kale, 2 kinds of broccoli, a mixture of lettuces, some spinach, and even brussel sprouts. I was excited to see how everything would turn out.
My family and I spent some time together enjoying the outdoors (I think the kids did, in spite of themselves). When we pulled into the driveway, I saw it. EVERY SINGLE PLANT HAD BEEN EATEN TO THE GROUND!
After getting over the initial shock, I made my plans for deterring and replanting. I got some of the stuff that you spray to make critters avoid the area and sprinkled cayenne pepper liberally around the garden. My son and I spent about an hour re-planting the garden. I was pleased until...
...until the next evening. Once again, most of the plants were decimated. The only thing that remained were my experimental "mustard spinach" and "pak choy" plants. I was ready to wage serious battle with this creature, but I was not sure what I was fighting. I borrowed a live animal trap and a motion camera to see if I could capture a picture of the culprit. I even set up an ultrasonic deterrent device in the garden to drive away any wayward members of God's creation. That is where the adventure began. As you can see by the first picture, my trap attracted a possum (I know that in other parts of the country that's spelled opossum, but that's not how I was raised).
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| Ms. Possum walking toward my trap |
Imagine my surprise to read that possums really are not interested in the types of things I was growing in my garden. What this meant, of course, was that I had yet to capture my garden thief. I decided to try, try again.
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| Mr. Rocky Raccoon who now has a new home! |
My next two times setting the trap were equally frustrating. I managed to catch raccoon number one. After moving the trap and changing the bait, imagine my surprise to catch raccoon number two. He was graciously adopted by a family that has given him a beautiful home on many acres of land.
What was worse was that my neighbor had identified the vagrant that had trespassed on my Eden. It was a groundhog. Someone told me that groundhogs are huge fans of honey buns; so, guess what I used to bait the trap? That's right, honey buns! The next morning I was pleased to awaken to the sight of a trap that was once again full. This time it would have to be the groundhog, right?
Except it wasn't. The solid white back that accompanied the black body sent chills down my spine. I caught a skunk! "No matter," I thought to myself, "I'll just call animal control and have them come and get it." Did you know that animal control will not collect a skunk that is not caught in their trap? Neither did I. How I handled the skunk is a longer story for another day...
I determined that I still wanted to plant my garden, but knew the ultrasonic device was a waste of time. I erected a small fence around the outer perimeter of my garden that might hopefully keep any groundhog at bay. In the meantime, Animal Control had delivered one of their traps so that I might catch the groundhog (and if I caught another skunk, they would handle it this time).
As the sun rose the following morning, I could see that my garden was intact. The green tender leaves were isolated from the rest of the world by a mass of wire, wood, and metal. Just beyond the garden, I could see that the trap was once again triggered. Did I catch another skunk? Nervously, I approached the trap unable to see clearly through the fence I built the night before (aren't I clever?). Then, using a flashlight to peek into the darkness, I saw not one, but two sets of eyes. As I drew closer and began to breathe again, I realized that I was looking at two of the neighbor's kittens. I considered the futility of trying to catch wild marauders while I held a cage with a pair of young felines. When I opened the trap, I knew I was mistaken about having captured two kittens; a third kitten joined the others in a mad dash across the yard to freedom.
What's the connection?
Paul was traveling and hoped to find a place to settle down. I imagine that he had big plans for the type of garden he would grow for Christ as he entered a new area. Every time he thought that he had the perfect spot, he found that it was time to move again. Nowhere solid to stand, Paul and his companion continued to blow from town to town like a plastic bag in a parking lot on a windy day (Okay, the analogy is on the shaky side, but you get the vivid image, right?).
The beauty of the story is that through all of the frustration, through days of travel and unrest, and through all of the cities he visited and vacated, Paul was determined find a place where he could be in ministry. Every city greeted him with potential until the obstacles led him to move. And move he did. It was as if he could hear those words that would not be spoken for centuries by Winston Churchill "never, never, never give up."
I wonder how many times he wanted to throw his hands up and just stop? I wonder if he felt like his work was futile because nothing was getting accomplished? I wonder if he considered trying to stay put even when the Spirit wanted him to move on? Imagine how different the world would be if Paul stopped being persistent in sharing the gospel letting nothing stand in his way. He knew that his God was always with him. Through Christ he could do all things, for Christ would be his strength.
Sometimes it can seem like our efforts are fruitless and that we are simply moving from one 'pest' to another. I have been there! But if we are persistent, if we are faithful, God will bless our efforts...just maybe not in the way we expected.
My garden does not look like I had first planned it. There is a fence that guards the perimeter higher than a ground hog can jump. Reaching for the sky this morning were a dozen or so kale plants, all sprouting new leaves that are growing beautifully. It's not what I planned, it isn't the way I expected, but it is amazing to see God take the work of meager hands to make a new creation.
Grace and Peace,
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