Another new animal that has introduced itself to our home is the Possum. This creature loves to drink water from the outdoor cat’s bowl. At first, our cat “Sassy” and the baby possum “Powder” would stare at each other for hours, until finally Sassy gave the invitation and they have been friends since. So now we have Sassy, an armadillo, Powder (possum) and the community ferral cat that help themselves to Sassy’s food dish.
Possums come in various sizes, the smallest is the tasmanian pygmy possum which grows about 2 ¾ inches long. The largest is the bear cuscus that grows as big as a cat and weights up to 15 lbs. Possums have an incredible immune system to snakes. They live between two to four years depending on the species. Possums when placed in danger act dead. “Playing possum”. The lips are drawn back; they show their teeth like a dead animal. A terrible smell forms creating the scent of a dead animal. The possum actually goes into a comatose state, and wakes up between 40 minutes to 4 hours later.
At times, we have people that play possum. They play possum at work. They play possum at home. They play possum at church. What do I mean? It’s simple. Possums when they play dead stay in one place. When they wake up after their comatose state, they go back to were they came from. Today, we have many Christians across American that play possum. They come to church, they sit in church, and when their comatose state is finished with the closing hymn, they wake up and go home. Next Sabbath the same ritual of playing possum reenacts itself. One of the dangers of playing possum is that we don’t grow spiritually. It is essential that we become involved in one of the ministries of the church. When you are involved with the church, something unique happens; you see God touch people’s lives. Whether it’s the prayer ministry, or pathfinder ministry. Whether it’s the prison ministry or the motorcycle ministry. Whether it’s community service or health ministry. Something happens to the believer. As we help others, we become blessed in the process. As we reach out and touch the lives of others, we become more sensitive to the needs of our neighbors. In fact, we become more like Christ.
Jesus speaks on this very issue. “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Matthew 25:34-40
Part of being a Christian is involvement in some form of ministry. We were not designed to be possums. If we “play possum” we die spiritually. Here are some insights on this issue. “Pure religion and undefiled before the Father is this: ‘To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.’ Good deeds are the fruit that Christ requires us to bear: kind words, deeds of benevolence, of tender regard for the poor, the needy, the afflicted. When hearts sympathize with hearts burdened with discouragement and grief, when the hand dispenses to the needy, when the naked are clothed, the stranger made welcome to a seat in your parlor and a place in your heart, angels are coming very near, and an answering strain is responded to in heaven. Every act of justice, mercy, and benevolence makes melody in heaven. The Father from His throne beholds those who do these acts of mercy, and numbers them with His most precious treasures. ‘And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels.’ Every merciful act to the needy, the suffering, is regarded as though done to Jesus. When you succor the poor, sympathize with the afflicted and oppressed, and befriend the orphan, you bring yourselves into a closer relationship to Jesus. “ {2T 25.1}
May God bless you this Sabbath as we minister to the needs of others
Angel
Angel J. Rodriguez, D.Min
Houston Central – Senior Pastor
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