Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) at Bok Tower By Dan’sPix

Observations from an Outsider

I am an outsider.  I do not consider myself to be an avid birdwatcher.  I am an ignorant birdwatcher.  I like to look at birds, but most of the time, I have absolutely no idea what I’m looking at.  My ability to identify birds does not extend much past Blue Jays and Bald Eagles.

That being said, I have learned much from Lee.  Through her writing, my understanding of birds has grown and deepened.  She has broadened my ‘birding skills.’  I have come to better appreciate the wide variety of birds that God has created.

When Lee asked me to write an article for this blog, I was stumped.  What can I contribute to a birdwatching blog?  I finally decided to write to people like me – outsiders.  So, if you are like me – an ignorant birdwatcher – then this post is for you.

Mallard Mom and Baby at Lake Hollingsworth

Here are some observations from the outside.

Be Still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10)

1. You and I need to Stop, Look, and Listen more.  We need to slow down and pay more attention.  It is so easy to go through life and totally miss the ‘birds.’  It is so easy to race from one activity to the next.  Let us take time to stop, close our eyes, and simply listen to the birds.  Let us take time to stand still and observe the rich diversity of birds all around us.
2. You and I need to recognize that it is all about God.  God needs to be recognized more.  Every bird we see should direct our thoughts to God.  When you see a dove, think of the peace of God.  When you watch a Bald Eagle soar through the sky, think of the majesty and grandeur of God.  When you see a mother duck shelter and protect her babies, think of God how He shelters and protects His children.  Fortunately, we have Lee’s blog as a great resource to help us recognize God.
3. You and I need to admit that God is not boring.  As we begin to recognize God more, we must admit that He is not dry or stale.  His creativity is infinite.  Which one of us could have dreamed up ‘sword-billed hummingbirds’ or ‘birds that drink seawater’ or ‘kakapos?’  Imagine, if the God of the universe put this much creativity into the birds of the air, how much more creativity must He have put into you and me.  We are of far more value to Him than the birds.  We bear His image.  God not only exquisitely designed the birds; He also designed each one of us.  Our God is not boring!  He is infinitely interesting!

Look at 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? (Matthew 6:26 ESV)

Sword-billed Hummingbird (Ensifera ensifera) by Robert Scanlon

Lee’s Addition:

This blog owes very much to Stephen, our Assistant to the Pastor. When I was trying to find an outlet for my desire to use my Birds of the Bible lessons, it was Stephen who suggested that I write an article each Friday on our church blog. I said yes, but not knowing exactly what a “blog” was, I started one of my own, to learn how to lay out the articles for the “Fountain.” What you are reading, has been from that small beginning. Praise the Lord for letting Stephen make that suggestion.

Here are links to the first two articles on the Fountain in February 2008:
Birds of the Bible – Introduction and The Birds of the Bible ~ Eagles

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