Articles
Reflections - the Great Horned Owl
The great horned owl is an impressive bird, not only in appearance but also in its abilities. Its piercing yellow eyes are able to see clearly in the dark when it does the majority of its hunting. Its head can rotate more than 180 degrees to observe its surroundings, and its feathers are so constructed as to allow almost complete silence in its flight. But what is often overlooked is its impressive claws. They are used to grasp tightly on its prey and to sever the spines of its victims. When quenched, they require over 28 pounds of force to break the grip on whatever they are holding onto. Holding fast to anything it desires is key to an owl's survival. It is also key to a Christian's survival. What we are all about, what we are entrusted with preserving, and what gives us meaning is the gospel. If we lose our grip on that, we have lost everything. Churches become irrelevant whenever the gospel is replaced with whatever the current fad might be. When anything, even something good, replaces what is best Christianity becomes just another self-help program. It behooves us to know the gospel better than we know anything else, to hold it central in all our teaching and preaching, and to hold fast to its beauty and power. Be sure of this - not everything that wears the name of gospel is gospel. This is where we make our stand. This is what brings us peace and assurance. This is what points us beyond ourselves to the One who is both the author and finisher of our faith. Hold fast to what is most important. Even great horned owls know that. - John
