See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Ephesians 5:15-16
Walking circumspectly means to walk the most accurately, with the most care and exactness. I always think of navigating the pasture when I read this verse. When I was sixteen I worked on a farm for a summer. There were great things about being on the farm. The sunshine, fresh air, and the great cooking Mrs. Macy laid out at EVERY meal. But you had to be aware of what was going on all the time. Doing chores meant a visit to the pasture. One of my favorite jobs was feeding Bullet. He was young bull that was a disappointment to the farmer because he couldn’t give milk and because he was drinking the milk his mother gave. Milk that had previously fed his family and the rest of us ranch hands too. I was assigned to wean Bullet. Everyday I would mix his formula in a bucket so that I could teach him to eat from something other than his mother. I would dip my hand into the mix. Bullet would suck the pap from my fingers. All the while I would use my fingers to lead him into the bucket so that after several days he could eat directly from the bucket. Eventually he I transferred him from the bucket to the trough. Later that summer Bullet went to live with the rest of the cows because he had enough size and skill. It was an incredible experience! Bullet and I became fast friends. Even when he could eat for himself he still needed someone to be with him whenever he ate because he was too young to be all alone. He needed someone to play with. Bullet’s idea of play could be pretty rough.
Visiting Bullet every day required walking circumspectly. He and the other animals in the pasture used it for everything including their bathroom of course. It was necessary to not only be aware of Bullet and some of the aggressive goats and rams, it was also necessary to be aware of where you were stepping. Not just to avoid putting your foot in the messes they made but to refrain from stumbling in a hole or some piece of equipment. It was also necessary to know where the fence was so escape could be had quickly in case one of them became irate. Stepping in something or worse falling in something could affect you whole day negatively. It might be hours before you could clean up.
As believers we have to redeem the time. We have to work to meet the needs of others. We rescue those who are in need. We teach them to fend for themselves. We cannot afford to wallow in the pasture. It will affect how we are able to minister to others. We are in the pasture but we are not part of it. I loved Bullet but it was never part of the plan for me to become like him. He was to learn from me. We are supposed to snatch people from the fire not let them be the reason we stick around to be slow roasted by sin ourselves. (Jude 22-23) I love several people who are outside the body of Christ but I will not yield my walk to them. I want to see them pulled from the fire. I am even willing to pull them out. While I am watching and waiting for the opportunity I will be careful not to be caught up in their sin myself.
Making A Distinction,
Pastor Jason
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