Birds on the Wire – Day 16

 

 

Birds were everywhere. Landing on the ground around us. Dipping and soaring, birds were everywhere. Dipping and soaring – we watched as they landed on the wires running alongside the river.

The wires became full – we watched as the late comers tried desperately to find their place among their community – it became a battle over the last single inch.

Rolling down my window the noise was astounding.  I wonder how often we spend our energy fighting desperately for the last square inch of space in the midst of the chaos around us.

What makes us so desperate to do what everyone else is doing? Why do we fight for our space screaming and squawking, drowning out our neighbors who are fighting the same battles?

Maybe if we stopped long enough, became still and listened – we could change the face of our own community. We would no longer push and shove – demanding our way.

We would no longer shout louder and louder in an attempt to drown out the noise of our neighbors. Instead our sound and energy would change to a pleasant, unified energy dedicated to the good of our community. Jesus is talking about this in his parables.

The teachings that become too familiar and we begin to doubt the “old ways” often causing us to look to the latest new craze trending.

In our effort to defend our space – we deny the weaker a place to land.

Our squawking becomes only a noise that drowns out every one around us. We can’t even hear ourselves.

All the energy is focused on us. Defending us – defending our space – our rights – what’s best for us.

What would the world look like if we used our voices like this . . .

Proverbs 31

⁸  Open your mouth for the mute, 

for the rights of all who are destitute. 

⁹  Open your mouth, judge righteously, 

defend the rights of the poor and needy. 

Let’s begin the new week with a different outlook. Why should we believe anything we see and hear anymore? What ever happened to trust? Every man for himself doesn’t work so well except when the desired outcome is division, anger and chaos.

And I wonder . . . if God grieves.

And I believe He does.

“Lord, we come to You right now, right here in this place – asking You to give us the courage to step out of the noise. We seek You Lord. In our seeking, lead us Lord to a heart of serving and loving – following the example You gave us when You sent Jesus to walk this earth. We love You Lord. Forgive us when we use our voices to contribute to the noise. Help us find another place to land. Give us solid ground, Lord. May we be a reflection of Your love, hope and peace this week. With much love, Lord. Amen.”