Dear Faith Family, 

To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, (1 Peter 1:1). 

The Maundy Thursday love feast and communion service had reached its finale.  The crowd was gone.  The parking lot was abandoned but for a couple of vehicles.  The Fellowship Hall was empty.  Back in the office I heard a knock on the window laced with urgency.  When I opened the door one of our deacons with concern in his voice asked, “Is that a coyote?!” 

There in the middle of the parking lot was a lone coyote walking arrogantly as if he owned the place!  What in the world?  Was he looking for a place to park?  A restroom?  A meal?  Not sure what he was doing in the middle of the parking lot.  Maybe he was a religious coyote? 

One thing’s for sure, he was out of place.  He didn’t belong.  Problem: he didn’t seem to be aware that he didn’t belong!  (Ray Stevens might have to write another song!)  The coyote was just a bit too comfortable not forty feet away! 

What’s the point?  Peter refers to us as coyotes in a parking lot.  Ok.  Ok.  So, its translated elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.  The point is that we are aliens in this world.  Although we are here on purpose with purpose, our time here is short lived.  We are made for more than this world has to offer.  Are we aware that we don’t belong to this world?  What do you mean? 

Is our hope in the One who is eternal?  Or is our hope anchored in something temporal, like the trinkets that this world has to offer?  Shiny new stuff?  Temporary accomplishments?  Worldly recognition?  It isn’t that “trinkets” are intrinsically bad.  It is that they were never meant to be the anchor for our hope.  Instead, they ought to tether us more tightly to the One who affords such trinkets. 

Exiles long for home, (1 Peter 1:13).  Nothing in this temporary dwelling holds a candle to the thought of home!  Exiles live in the sobriety of reality.  And so, I wonder….  Am I living the life of a temporary alien or the life of a permanent resident?  Am I vainly striving for the security and significance that this world has to offer or am I longing for home, where my God is, the One who offers true security and significance?  Am I striving to invest my temporary life in eternal matters or am I sacrificing eternal matters for this temporary life? 

In short?  Is it simply another trip to Walmart to purchase an egg (I used to purchase them by the dozen!) or is it a new opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus in this too busy, ultra-consumeristic, land of “me-anity”? 

Just another coyote passing through, 
Pastor Karl