I usually walk at the local high school track in the wee hours between 3-5 am. I have done this for about four years and have only had a couple of issues the whole time. 

This year has been different. At least two families of skunks have taken residence near the track. One group is almost entirely white. They are easy to spot when I see them walking on the black lanes, even in the dark. The other family is almost completely black with a small white stripe. They are practically impossible to see in the dark.

They come to the track for two reasons. One, there is frequently food all over the ground. The other day, the trash can had blown over, and I could see and hear one of them munching on chips. Two, this has been an incredibly dry year, and they turn on the sprinklers there to keep the football field green and plush. Thus, it has become a one-stop paradise this year for animals. I have seen raccoons, rabbits, armadillos, and these skunks. 

One Sunday morning, I was walking on the track, and I saw one off to my left, and he was eating and minding his business. I passed by a few laps before it happened. On one trip around, I noticed something out of the corner of my eye, and there, two lanes away from me, stood a skunk with his tail high and looking like he was ready to launch.

My immediate reaction was to take off running. To my surprise, the animal initially ran after me. Within a few yards, it quit, but I sprinted to my truck.

I did not stop and look at the animal in wonder of this fantastic creature. I did not think, “What should I do? What should I do?” I did not call a friend and ask for advice. I simply took off running. 

The plea of the Bible for believers is that when they encounter evil, they should flee.

Paul tells Timothy to “flee evil desires and pursue righteousness.” He tells him to take off sprinting when he sees that dirty old sin. Don’t stop, don’t ask someone what to do, and don’t overthink it. Just run away. Take off like a skunk is in pursuit. You will never regret that decision.