Consider The Birds

The woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best. ~Henry Van Dyke

Consider the birds.

Their talons hold light to the branch, letting go feels natural. They tremble, not with fear but focus,

attentive to an inner voice, to a whisper, weighty with promise,

“Fly!”

Consider the birds, because they’ve never known self-doubt. Humans alone bear that burden, the glory and gut-wrenching pain of self-consciousness.

We are skilled at wing-clipping, you and I.

We tether our hopes. We duct tape our dreams to memories of failure. We notice that others fly straighter, higher, with grander wing spans, a more melodious cry, so we fold our modest efforts beneath our breast and refuse to step into the air.

But  birds don’t fret their variety, nor wish to exchange gifts with each other. Large birds croak unbecomingly, but sing anyway. Small birds fly in spurts, but fly anyway. Flashy plumage or homely feathers, they share the same bug-berry fare.

Consider the birds. They simply are what they were created to be, every single day.

And You?

Whom were you designed to be, when not compared to those around you? How could the world be less dark and broken because you are here? What will we know about the loving-kindness of God when you are finally willing to fly? Is there a God-planted yearning you’ve avoided? A calling you’ve forgotten to heed? What would happen if you unfolded your wings… stepped off your safe perch…and….?

I might fail.

What’s so bad about failure?

I’d make a fool of myself.

Then why not be a fool?

Others would think less of me.

Who are these “others” that you have made them your god?

What The Birds Know:

The air is not empty.

If you dare to spread your wings, to loosen your grip, and step into God’s beautiful will, you will never fly alone.

“Consider the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” Matthew 6:26-27

I would love it if you would share any whispers you are hearing. I promise to pray for the courage to obey!

Thank you, Melanie Hunt, for the digital window into creation your photography offers us. We are blessed.