Birdsong Beatitudes

Jesus spoke where people lived— sheep, oil, yeast, lost coins, and farming—well-known, long-observed, everyday realities. Almost everyone for centuries has had contact with those realities.

That has very much changed.

Where are ours? With all our individuality, there are many more points of reality depending on age, culture (sub-cultures too), and online media.

I mean it.  We do NOT see the same news at all, so we have become that omni-informed at our own request.

So, as I thought it over, interests rooted in nature still seem to speak to many. We long to get away to a peaceful place whenever we can.

Jesus proved his wisdom, yet again, in using nature in His teaching.

For me, one of my interests—the beauty of birdlife, their diversity, their songs—speaks to my deepest interests: how God speaks, He and His teaching providing all our needs.

Birds are so varied in their calls and songs. So, I thought, why does that make a difference? And then, how does that reveal the God I love?  

If birds all sounded the same, there would be nothing special.  Some of our feathered friends have a huge repertoire of soaring songs, while others only cackle.  Needless to say, we do not stop to admire the noise of croakers.  But those less gifted songsters do other things that matter, which we know little about.  Remember, even the sparrows are remembered by our God! (Matthew 10:29).

I will stop and listen to a Song Thrush or Blackbird while on a walk.  It brings many hikers joy. But the great variety of birdsong has taught me a greater lesson. Think of it, in each climate setting, from forest to desert, birdlife is individualized to meet the challenges of that climate and geography.  That environment is balanced and self-sustaining. I could go on and on about each bird's beauty, utility, and more. So is the wildlife of each clime.

Have you thought of how our 'believer-life' of a place and time is the same? We are unique, yet we fit the needs of the place and environment we inhabit.  Like birds, one believer seems to sing for joy, another communicates truth, and others serve, encourage, and pray.  Others teach us about endurance in their harsh environment.  God, in the wisdom of His creation, has formed a wide spectrum of gifts.

As we walk through our fellowship and church forests, look around and see the variety of gifts, the songs of service, there.

And rejoice at the Creator's wisdom in making each one special! What lessons have you come to know from our feathered friends?