October 8
Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons,
and the dove, the swift and the thrush observe the time
of their migration. But my people do not know the
requirements of the Lord. Jeremiah 8:7
The racket begins before dawn; the flapping of wings, bird chatter and song, all blending into a lively mixture of noise! The flurry of birds, competing with each other to get to the bird feeder before the next one! Like toddlers scrambling for attention, one pushing the other out of the
way, to hold a secure place . . . at least for a moment! The birds seem to know the weather is changing, that they need to grab what they can while they can before they head along.
Daily my husband and I watch our back yard feeders for a change in the variety of our feathered friends. It is fall, and usually at this time some of the species of birds that frequent this
way-station in our yard, stop only for a day or two to fill up before continuing their journey south. In addition, birds that are with us all summer flock to fill their little tummies before they begin their trip south too. This year, although one particular variety appears to have lingered longer, it seems these birds are actually relatives of their species from further north, who somehow know where to stop to rest and refill! It is amazing that by some means they all recognize exactly when to begin their migration and where to stop along their way to refresh themselves, as though they have some inner means of communicating with one another from miles away. Perhaps they do.
Is it that birds utilize events in nature that signal the changing of the seasons, i.e. day length, wind direction, a lack of food source, etc. to know when to begin their journey south? Studies have shown that that they in fact do; they use a keen inner sense of what is happening around them - an inherent knowledge - some of it genetics, some learned behavior and some not
fully understood by man(1). And it appears they do remember, for some even return to their birthplaces to raise their own broods and locate nourishment!
Birds are one of many beautiful creations God has given us! As all God’s creation has, they have an inner knowledge, a means that enables them to know how to continue to live life - to survive even under dire circumstances - one that brings them home safely. All that is required is that they pay attention to the signs around them; to listen, to look, to feel – to follow that pull that is directing them.
Our inner senses get muddled with tugs in too many directions sometimes, clouding our vision and numbing our sense of purpose, yet the requirements needed to live life to its fullest and to bring us safely to God - to bring us home, are in fact already there, inherently within us, just waiting for us to utilize. All we have to do is take the time to heighten our ability to listen, look around us and feel the pull of God’s direction. With prayer we can do that. Undoubtedly, He will show us what is required and we will know which way to go and when.
God of all creation, help me remember what is required of me to follow You.
1) Wikipedia September 2013
Copyright© 2013 Kathleen A. Matson
Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons,
and the dove, the swift and the thrush observe the time
of their migration. But my people do not know the
requirements of the Lord. Jeremiah 8:7
The racket begins before dawn; the flapping of wings, bird chatter and song, all blending into a lively mixture of noise! The flurry of birds, competing with each other to get to the bird feeder before the next one! Like toddlers scrambling for attention, one pushing the other out of the
way, to hold a secure place . . . at least for a moment! The birds seem to know the weather is changing, that they need to grab what they can while they can before they head along.
Daily my husband and I watch our back yard feeders for a change in the variety of our feathered friends. It is fall, and usually at this time some of the species of birds that frequent this
way-station in our yard, stop only for a day or two to fill up before continuing their journey south. In addition, birds that are with us all summer flock to fill their little tummies before they begin their trip south too. This year, although one particular variety appears to have lingered longer, it seems these birds are actually relatives of their species from further north, who somehow know where to stop to rest and refill! It is amazing that by some means they all recognize exactly when to begin their migration and where to stop along their way to refresh themselves, as though they have some inner means of communicating with one another from miles away. Perhaps they do.
Is it that birds utilize events in nature that signal the changing of the seasons, i.e. day length, wind direction, a lack of food source, etc. to know when to begin their journey south? Studies have shown that that they in fact do; they use a keen inner sense of what is happening around them - an inherent knowledge - some of it genetics, some learned behavior and some not
fully understood by man(1). And it appears they do remember, for some even return to their birthplaces to raise their own broods and locate nourishment!
Birds are one of many beautiful creations God has given us! As all God’s creation has, they have an inner knowledge, a means that enables them to know how to continue to live life - to survive even under dire circumstances - one that brings them home safely. All that is required is that they pay attention to the signs around them; to listen, to look, to feel – to follow that pull that is directing them.
Our inner senses get muddled with tugs in too many directions sometimes, clouding our vision and numbing our sense of purpose, yet the requirements needed to live life to its fullest and to bring us safely to God - to bring us home, are in fact already there, inherently within us, just waiting for us to utilize. All we have to do is take the time to heighten our ability to listen, look around us and feel the pull of God’s direction. With prayer we can do that. Undoubtedly, He will show us what is required and we will know which way to go and when.
God of all creation, help me remember what is required of me to follow You.
1) Wikipedia September 2013
Copyright© 2013 Kathleen A. Matson