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| Photo by Karunakar Rayker 2007 |
Not long ago, on our usual journey from home to our
favorite beach, I spotted an eerie phenomenon – a group of birds apparently
hovering in mid-air, motionless and all facing in the same direction. When we
got closer, the mystery was solved – the birds were all perched on an
electrical wire, which was not visible from further up the road.
Despite the high voltage passing through such wires, small birds
can safely land there, provided their body does not touch ground, because their
feet are so close together. The voltage drop, and hence current, between two
points on a wire is proportional to the distance between the points, so
electricity from the wire does not harm the birds.
On subsequent trips I noticed that the same, or at least a similar,
flock occupied the same wire, which prompted me to read more about this
behavior. The more I learned about it, the more parallels I saw between “birds of
a feather flocking together” on a high wire and the need for Christians to be
faithful members of a local church:
Hebrews 10: 24
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves
together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the
more, as ye see the day approaching.
Once we are saved by trusting in the death, burial and
resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) as the only Way to Heaven (John 14:6), we are to join a local church (Acts
2:47), where we can support one another, bear one another’s burdens (Galatians
6:2), and encourage one another to do God’s work. This is even more
important during the End Times, as Christ’s return draws near, because the
urgency to bring souls to Christ before it is too late (John 9:4)
demands that we work together (Luke 10:2).
Birds on a wire perch close to each other to reduce the
danger of being attacked by predators, as there is safety in numbers. For
Christians also, the Bible-based church provides protection from Satan’s traps
(Ephesians 6:11-18), including false doctrine (1 Timothy 4:1),
and a loving church family supports its members who are enduring trials through
prayer and encouragement.
Birds that eat insects enjoy the height of an electrical
wire to give them a better perspective, and hence feeding opportunities, as they can
better view and then pursue their dinner, whether on the ground or flying by. Although
Christians can and should read their own Bible daily to be fed from God’s Word
(Matthew 6:11), the higher perspective of an experienced, Godly
pastor or teacher expounding Scripture can feed us in the meat, and not only
the milk, of God’s Word (1 Corinthians 3:2; Hebrews 5:12).
The environment of a high wire is free of foliage to
obstruct or shadow the birds’ view of predators and prey, thus enhancing their
survival. Similarly, going to a Bible-based church at the appointed times should provide an
environment free of the distractions and preoccupations of our daily life in
this evil world, enabling us to focus on God’s Word and will from a higher perspective.
Birds nesting in trees are difficult to see, but those on an
elevated wire are visible even from a distance. Jesus told His followers that we
are the light of the world, shining like a great city on a hill for all to see
(Matthew 5:14). The local church is one place where we can shine
His reflected light, and it allows us to “recharge our batteries” so that we
can burn more brightly even in this dark world.
Mark LaBarr, a wildlife biologist and conservation program
manager with the National Audubon Society, describes birds clustering on a wire
as a "pre-migratory get-together." The wire becomes a staging area, similar
to an airport preboarding area, before the flock takes flight for warmer climates
to help them survive the winter.
Or, for Christians, the local church is where we come
together while awaiting the Rapture (1 Corinthians 15:51-54; 1
Thessalonians 4:16-17), our final flight to meet Jesus Christ in the
clouds and then on to Heaven, the most hospitable and welcoming destination
where we will not only survive, but thrive, throughout all eternity!
Most birds on a wire face the same direction, into the
wind, to avoid ruffling their feathers and to facilitate take-off and landing. (But
of course, there are a few rebels in every crowd!) If we as Christians look in
the same direction – to Christ, the Author and Finisher of our faith – He will
smooth over any disputes among ourselves and make it easier to embark on the
course He has appointed us (Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 9:24),
and to rest according to His perfect timing and direction (Matthew 11:28).
On our most recent trip, many miles past the birds on a
wire, I witnessed an amazing display of God’s direction over His avian
creation. A swarm of small birds suddenly appeared over the eastern sky,
swooping westward over the horizon, then a second swarm in the western sky flew
toward the first swarm until both united in a circular pattern as all the birds
traveled upward!
It reminded me of God’s grace in inviting “whosoever”
trusts in His Son as Lord and Savior to live forever in Heaven (John 3:16),
regardless of whether they are His chosen people of Israel or Gentiles who have
been “grafted in” to His family tree by faith (Romans 11).
Like winged flocks, may we gather together in safety, sound
doctrine and support, and nurture our fellow believers until Christ comes
again! Look up (Luke 21:28), for our redemption is near!
© 2024 Laurie Collett
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| Photo by John Holmes 2006 |
