You have probably read this at one time or another.  I have.  But when I saw it again this morning it just did a number on me:

When the great sixteenth-century reformer John Knox prayed, “Lord, give me Scotland or I die, ” he sensed the Lord responding, “Die, John Knox, and I will give you Scotland.”

I live in the small town of Spencer, IN, population about 3,000 with Owen County (OC) having a population of about 21,000.   OC is really spread out so to use that number sounds like, “WOW!  You live in a pretty densely populated area.”  You would be “off” a little.  OC is the second lowest income county of Indiana and the #1 Meth producer (if you knew how much farmland there is you would understand that latter stat).  Quite a distinction you know?  In November,  Jo & I start our 6th year here as I pastor of this church.

Why am I saying all this?  Because I gotta wonder what sort of impact we are making in our community.   I’m not talking about the county but the community in which our people live, move and breathe.  The same community I live in but, ashamedly, barely know my neighbors except to say hi.  Maybe, just maybe, I need to pray this prayer and insert my community and my name in it.

Any thoughts?  Do you know your neighbors?  Do you find yourself having an impact upon them?  Would you consider praying this?  If we do, maybe one town at a time we can make a difference.