Sandhill Crane at Cirle B by Tommy Tompkins

Last week while reading by the window that overlooks our small backyard, my eye caught movement. When I looked out, under the tree in the shade stood a Sandhill Crane surrounded by 8 or 9 White Ibises. The Ibises walked toward my way and were digging and checking out our lawn. The group kept moving and digging around as Ibises will do. They exited left of my view and the Sandhill was still standing in the same spot. Soon, from the left of view the Ibises came back and this time there were 11 of them. They walked back toward the crane and exited right. Crane still standing. Then a few minutes later, back they came right to left and this time there were 13 of them. The Crane was still standing there. Off they went to the left of my view. You got it, the crane was still standing there. Then, here they came the last time, left to right, and there were 14 of them this time. My stately Sandhill Crane was still standing there. All of this took place in about a 30 minute time span.

White Ibises at Lake Morton by Dan

Needless to say, my reading was slowed down by all this activity. The ibises were digging around and yet they kept on the move. They put their beaks in the ground and pound up and down about 5 or 6 times and then move on and repeat the process over again. One or two of them will find something good to eat and will stay in the same spot to continue to dig. When they look up and see that the group has moved on, they immediately scurry off to catch up with the others. They have a funny little way of walking. This was repeated many times as they looked up and then followed the crowd.

I can come up with several applications for what was going on, but I will only choose one of them, for now.

God has given us His Word, the Bible, and in it we learn the truths about God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit who are one and are the great I AM.  The Word reveals truths about creation, salvation, sin, God’s attributes such as love, mercy, grace, judgment, justice, long-suffering, etc. As the Sandhill Crane stood, so should we stand firm in the truths taught in the Bible. We should not waver or try to change what has been written. Jesus has provided salvation, through His death on the cross, and invites us to accept His gift of salvation.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:6)

Many people know the truth about Jesus, the Cross, God, creation, heaven, hell, etc., but do not apply it to their heart or soul. They either think, there is some other way and are always searching for some new “angle” of belief. Be it different religions, non-religion, atheism, or what ever.

Off on another search - American White Ibis by Bob-Nan

Others who do accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior, want to find some new “angle” to what the Bible teaches, by perverting it, or trying to twist it to where their “sin” is justified. Maybe are just not really “walking with the Lord” and want to live in sin or they become false teachers.

Both groups, unbelievers or believers, are like the Ibises who go away from the truth (crane), and try new things, then almost come back, sort of, and then scurry off to find something different. Even those who settle down, look up and see the crowd going a certain way, and run after that new thing.

Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Matthew 7:13-14)

May we all seek the truth of God, accept the Lord’s salvation, and then live our lives according to God’s Word.

See:
The Gospel Message
Wordless Birds