This month’s article for “Ministry on the Margins” is provided by Rev. Wayne Poston, Pastor of East Radford Church of God. He has served the East Radford church as pastor for 26 years. Speaking with him, he said many pastors can get discouraged by multiple problems or ‘roaring lions’ as he mentions in the article below. But if you keep steadfast on your journey with Christ, you’ll find God will provide a way for you to make it.

"Honey for the Journey"
When asked to write this article, I was hesitant at first because I consider myself more of a reader than a writer. However, it occurred to me that I have written thousands of short stories in the form of sermons over the last 43 years.
One such story from the book of judges was about a young love-struck Israelite named Samson who was on a romantic journey to woo his potential bride. Samson, along with his parents, would travel to Timnath in the land of the Philistines to meet this girl.
While there, he encounters a hungry lion. I say hungry because the lion is roaring. I'm no expert on lions, but my stomach often roars when I'm hungry! Samson is on a romantic journey, and no young lion, hungry or not, is going to detain him! The scripture tells us that the Spirit of the Lord comes upon Samson, and with bare hands, he rips the young lion apart as though it were a small goat.
After having met his dream girl and being well pleased with her, Samson would make another trip, perhaps to finalize the wedding plans. It is on this trip that he turns aside to examine the carcass of the slain lion, only to discover that the carcass had become home to a swarm of honeybees.
Knowing that where there are honeybees, there must be honey, Samson reaches into the carcass and pulls out fresh honey. It was as though God had provided Samson with honey for the journey.
Many years ago, I, too, started out on a journey to serve God. Over the years, there have been many lions to face, but with every lion faced, God provided me with honey for the journey. I discovered, as with Samson, that honey may come from a most unlikely source, but nonetheless, it will be honey for the nourishment and encouragement of our soul.
Just as the psalmist sang, "…with honey out of the rock I should have satisfied thee!"

J. Wayne Poston, Pastor
East Radford Church of God

Ministry on the Margins at East Radford COG: Honey for the Journey