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A BITING EXPERIENCE At
this writing, I am down south near Brunswick, Georgia.
The Council of Bishops is meeting on St. Simons Island at historic
Epworth By the Sea. We are
treading paths once trod by Charles and John Wesley, founders of the
Methodist movement. More importantly, we are greeting new colleague bishops,
about 22 of them. Plus, the
Council of Bishops is organizing itself for the 2005-2008 quadrennium. Yet, I find myself focusing on a matter of less import. As
usual, I took an early morning walk with two other Ebony Bishops around 6
a.m. Lush vegetation and tall
stately trees dotted our pathway. Cars and trucks rushed by.
Due to the sea around the island and two or three stagnant ponds of
water enroute, dampness of the dawn filled the air. It was Tuesday, November 2, Election Day.
Our conversation sparkled with anticipation.
Then it happened. A
mosquito bit me, then another and another.
In seconds, I was reduced to slapping, waving and speaking most
sweetly about those pesky critters called mosquitoes.
(smile) For some
reason, I have not been able to put those bites behind me.
So, I am compelled to say a brief word concerning the encounter.
Let me be clear. Mosquito bites are not new to me. Mosquitoes in my hometown of Ft. Smith, Arkansas, compare
favorably with their Georgia relatives.
So why did those mosquito bites hurt so much and last so long?
First, our early morning walks on Halloween and/or the day after
did not bring any bites. Yet,
on November 2nd, we were the objects of a sneak attack.
Second, there are certain mosquito bites that cause one to reflect
and remember long after the pain is gone. Consider
the following observations emerging from my “biting” experience: 1.
The mosquitoes did not ignore us.
They knew we were in the neighborhood.
A number of them came out to greet us.
What a surprise. 2.
The mosquitoes were not selective in whom they bit.
My essence or status made no difference.
I am labeled in part a son, brother, father, husband, African
American, non-Georgian, tourist, a bishop of the church and a vaunted
child of God. They bit me
anyway. Mosquitoes can be
described as Equal Opportunity biters. (smile) 3.
Mosquitoes, though small, left a significant impression on this
host. Consequently, three days later, I decided to write an article about them. And when we walked the next morning, November 3, I put “OFF” on. If the people called Methodists in the Michigan Area “do church” with the mission, purpose, intentionality and passion of mosquitoes, God’s church will grow in wisdom, stature and numbers. (Jeremiah 29:11-14) |
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