Do you know much about birds? See if you can answer these questions.
If you guessed that there are 10,906 bird species in the world, you would be correct. 1 Regarding bird sounds, any of the answers could be correct because most birds make 5-15 different sounds. 2
Could you identify this unique bird? It is the aptly named Blue Footed Boobie not only for the color of its’ feet, but for its’ intellect. They inhabit eastern Pacific islands. 3
Now, that’s it’s spring we hear birds melodious singing! Have you ever wondered what the birds are saying? We don’t need to speak bird to interrupt a chick’s hungry chirps or a parent’s angry screeching as they protect the nest. But what else are they saying?
IMAGINE FLYING
What do you think parents say to their chicks when they first attempt to fly? Do they encourage them to have faith? The chick probably needs it as they step into thin air madly flapping their wings. Picture their clumsy attempts as they fall past one branch after another hoping for a soft landing.
When you take a step of faith, do you ever feel like you are stepping out into thin air? Are you hoping for a soft landing? Let’s face it. Most of the time taking that first step of faith is scary. Like the baby bird will either soar or fall to the ground, so might we.
Perhaps we can learn how to prepare for our step of faith like a chick.
STRENGTH & PRACTICE
Birds are not born with the ability to fly. Before stepping out of the nest, they must first strengthen their muscles and practice flapping. Their muscles are strengthened as they practice flapping their wings against the weight and gravity causing resistance to lift off. 1
We too can prepare to step out in faith by strengthening our faith muscles. Our faith muscles are similar to the chicks in that they both develop strength with resistance. Of course we won’t’ be flapping our arms, but we too build strength as we face resistance. Our resistance is the daily trials we face in our relationships, jobs or attitudes.
My brethren,
count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience,
James 1:2-3
As we practice looking to the Lord and relying on Him to face trials, even small ones, we are strengthening our faith muscles. By continually practicing with small trials, when we have to take a big step of faith into thin air, we can do it with confidence.
IT’S ABOUT LOVE
How do the chick’s parents show their love? They show their love as they provide, protect, and even carry their chicks. Their love assures the chick that when they encourage them to fly, it will not be harmful. Confident in their love, the chick can boldly step into thin air to fly.
Having confidence that the Lord loves us,
we too can boldly step out in faith.
But God, who is rich in mercy,
because of His great love with which He loved us,
Ephesians 2:4
The Lord expresses His love for us in many ways. When we see the expression of His love, it builds our faith to trust Him as He asks us to step out in faith.
LOVING PROTECTION
Like the parent protects its’ chicks, so the Lord protects us, His children.
He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler,
Psalm 91:4
LOVING PROVISION
Like the parent provides for their chicks, so too does our loving Heavenly Father provide for us.
Look at the birds of the air;
they do not sow or reap or store away in barns,
and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not much more valuable than they?
Matthew 6:26
LOVING RENEWAL
After many attempts to fly, I imagine that even chicks get weary and lose hope. In those times, some may renew their strength and hope by resting in a parent’s wings.
Sometimes, we too get weary and lose hope when we don’t see the results we expect from our faith. In those times, we can renew our strength and hope by resting in our Heavenly Father’s loving arms. Like the chick’s parents know that if they keep flapping in faith, someday they will soar, the Lord knows if in faith we wait on Him, we will soar too.
But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint,
Isaiah 40:31 NIV
REFLECTION
Has the Lord asked you to step out in faith?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, as I write Ephesians 2:4 and say it aloud, give me the assurance of Your love for me. Strengthen my faith so that I may boldly step out in faith to do anything you ask. In Jesus name. Amen.
FAITH TRUSTS IN GOD’S LOVE
May your day be filled with love and laughter!
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*For information on making Jesus Christ your Savior, email me or visit, http://www.peacewithgod.net/
1 Birdfact.com
2 audobon.org Audubon.org
3 allaboutbirds.org
Photo bobbie, Hans Jurgen
Photo chick, Navi
Photo protected chick, Jon Pauling
Photo feeding, Andrea Lightfoot
Photo swan, Peter Godfrey
