Lessons from a Dead Skunk

When I used to preach in Virginia, the drive from my house to the church building was beautiful. It was about 5 miles through a state park. In the winter, the snow would hang onto the tree limbs that outlined the road. In the fall, the changing of colors was stunning.

However, for a while, something ruined it. Someone accidentally ran over a skunk. I know it was an accident because no one would ever do such a crazy thing on purpose.

For a few days, when I drove down that beautiful road there would be a section of the drive that stunk. In a couple of weeks, it got a little better, but it still smelled. I have seen policemen pull over and remove the bodies of dead animals from the highways, but no one removed the dead skunk. 

It reminded me of several undeniable truths.

1. A mess is a mess, even when it is an accident.

Many people excuse every terrible thing they have done with “I didn’t mean to.” Children think that an apology is all it takes to make everything okay. I appreciate a real apology, but a stink is still a stink. 

2. Sometimes things happen in life that you can’t fix.

No one wanted to clean up the mess, so we just have to wait till it goes away on its own. David asked for forgiveness for his sin. God forgave him, but the sword never departed from his house. Jacob wrestled with an angel till the angel touched him on the hip and for the rest of his life, he limped. Even with forgiveness, there are often consequences.

3. The smell will eventually go away.

Right now it may seem like you will never get past your problem. Don’t be impatient, this too will pass. I love the fellow who was asked what his favorite Bible verse was and he quoted “it came to pass.” Whatever your hard spot is, it will pass. It always does. The phrase “it came to pass” is found 453 times in the KJV. This skunk too will pass.

Lonnie Davis