SUNDAY, MAY 4, 2008

THE SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

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Dear Friends in Our Lord Jesus:

A recent article in a national magazine looked closely at the Alaskan bull moose and the seasonal battle that takes place for tribal dominance during the fall months.

The photographs were shocking and stunning. They depicted the males of the species in the yearly struggle for supremacy. Several pairs of males were shown going head-to-head -- literally -- with their antlers crunching and grinding together during the awful moment of collision.

Often, during the course of the struggle, an antler would break and the battle would come to a quick end. Since antlers are the primary weapons of combat for the bull moose, the largest male with the strongest antlers usually prevailed.

And that raises an intriguing point.

Since the heftiest moose with the largest anglers invariably triumphs in the end, then the outcome -- in a sense -- is really determined months earlier, when the animals spend nearly all of their time eating. It seems obvious that the moose consuming the most food during the grazing season is able to gain the most weight, and thus is able to withstand the rigors of the fighting season. Conversely, those eating inadequately have weaker antlers and carry less weight, and thus they are defeated very early.

There is a message here for us. The best time to strengthen our faith -- through prayer, Bible study, acts of mercy, praise and worship -- is RIGHT NOW. Before spiritual struggles, tribulations, and trials begin to pull us downward toward the abyss. There is no better time than TODAY to begin a new spiritual program. And even if we are already being attacked and pummeled from all sides, we have our Lord Jesus' promise that all we need to do is turn to Him. As He said (John 6:37b): "I will never turn away anyone who comes to me."

-- The Very Rev. Dr. Steve Sellers +