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The Great Escape

4/21/2016

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Picture
The Great Escape
Evading the Enemy

​We walked the dark path between the Manager's house and our cottage at Amathunzi. The inky darkness shielded everything and made the short walk a little precarious. A small porch light in the distance marked our path to our room . A few steps into the dirt path we were greeted with several snorts. Uncertainty caused us to shine our flashlight in the direction of the sound. There stood a Bontebok.

It is a beautiful antelope with rich dark brown markings and spiral horns. Our light hit his face and he immediately cantered away. I was amazed at its speed in the darkness. It simply seemed to vanish. It left an unsettled feeling as he disappeared into the dark so quickly. Maybe he could reappear just as fast!

The next morning I went looking for the splendid animal in the sunlight. His dark brown coat had a purple gloss and clearly defined markings. He was darker on the sides with white buttocks and lower limbs. His unbroken white facial blaze and black horns carved a beautiful head and shape. 

This antelope was stunning and majestic. I walked closely and he began to stomp and snort as he had done the night before. I lifted my camera to take a picture and he exploded into a cantor and raced away. His unusual cantor made it appear effortless. It was as if he pranced in a tireless gate that accelerated with each jump.

The Bontebok had such speed that I wondered how prey could catch him and kill him for a meal. It would require stealth, speed and cunning. I thought of the Leopard we had watched during his hunt for food. Crouched low to the ground it crept along and stopped motionless on several occasions. The prey had no idea he was there. He waited as the slow grazing brought him near and he pounced.

We tend to have a false sense of safety concerning our enemy. Spiritually our enemy prowls around seeking someone that he might devour. What we fail to recognize is that we are his target. We think we can get away and avoid him if he comes near. Sometimes the spooking event is just a trap to capture us on the run. Evading the entanglement of sin requires careful observation, honest assessments and speed at the right moment. We must run just like the Bontebok! But timing is crucial!

Are you aware of the pitfalls in your daily life, thinking and feelings? Are you so consumed with satisfying your appetites that you don't notice the movement around you? We are told in God's Word to flee from sin. I see the Bontbok as one example of successful evasion from the perils of sin. He is attentive, forceful and has a twitch that is blinding.

Cathy and Danny Sartin

Copyright © Danny Sartin and Deeper Still Missions. All Rights Reserved.
Life Nuggets are written for those who support Deeper Still Missions and its goal of missionary retention.   
Re-Prints: Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this post in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions.

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Informal Leadership

4/7/2016

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A Kingdom Leader is usually engaged with leadership groups in their community, church and business. They recognize the formal leadership roles and informal leadership influences that guide the group. Many times it is a journey from innocence to experience that stretches knowledge and understanding.

How is your leadership contribution seen by the group? What guides your thinking and feelings? What values drive your participation? Is Christ involved in your role? Do others recognize Christ in you?

Joseph of Arimathia was an influencial member of the Sanhedrin. But his influence was limited to his wealth and position because he kept his faith in Jesus a secret. (see John 19:38)

Luke 23:50 says, Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the council, a good and upright man, 1

His influence among the group was apparently silent during the trial of Jesus. There is no record of him speaking to defend Jesus. Instead it says the whole group reached a decision about Jesus. (see Mark 15:1)

After the death of Jesus, Joseph went boldly to Pilot to request the body of Jesus. Do you have the courage to be an informal leader in your group? Can you lead with tact, grace and wisdom? We are praying that you will.

Cathy and Danny Sartin
www.deeperstillmissions.com

1 The New International Version. (2011). (Luke 23:50). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan
​
Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved. Photos taken by Cathy and Danny Sartin in Africa.
Kingdom Leadership is written for missionaries and ministers serving our Lord in various parts of the world.
Re-Prints: Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this post in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions.

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    Danny Sartin

    Four decade veteran of youth ministry in churches, Youth For Christ and now is the Founder and Executive Director of Deeper Still Missions. Danny and his wife Cathy spend most of their time mentoring missionaries in Africa, Europe, Central America and North America. Future opportunities include South America and the Asia Pacific area.

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