Birds On a Wire

 

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

Photo by John Holmes 2006

The "Convention"

Photo by Laurie Collett 2023

 On our usual beach stroll my husband Richard and I were at first delighted by the privacy and solitude. But then we were a little disappointed that not only were there no people, but there were no birds! This seemed odd given the beautiful weather, calm seas, wide expanse of beach, and a variety of species seen on our previous visit.

But then, about 300 feet away, we spotted what Richard referred to as “the convention.” Droves of winged creatures of so many kinds – sandpipers darting to and fro; shy fawn-colored plovers on spindly legs; stodgy terns in a variety of colors and patterns. Snowy-white cranes spread their delicate wings; oystercatchers with tufted heads and long yellow bills stood on one large, yellow webbed foot; tall blue herons and black and white osprey all lined the beach, intermingling with one another.

Even the pelicans were well-represented. It is not unusual to see these prehistoric-looking creatures on air patrol as they fly over the beach in squadron formation, or floating alone or in small groups as they ride the ocean waves. But this was the first time we had seen pelicans sitting on the beach, as if conversing with their peers!

Despite the varied composition of the group, it was a cohesive unit, moving together on the shore, where they all stood facing toward or away from the surf, or wading in the shallow water as they hunted for small fish, crabs or coquinas.

The different songs of each variety were distinguishable – the mournful cry of the osprey, the tern’s shrill call, and the excited chatter of the sandpipers. But together the sounds blended into a harmonious symphony.

As we approached, they took to the air, again in unison, swirling around us in a flurry of excitement, offering stunning views of outstretched wings and tails changing color with every spread of their feathers.

“Hope it’s not going to turn into a Hitchcock movie,” Richard joked.

But far from being frightened, I was delighted to be in the center of this avian display of power, grace and movement. It brought back childhood memories of winter vacations on Florida’s east coast, when my grandmother would toss chunks of dry bread into the air for the seagulls to devour and sometimes even to greedily snatch them from our outstretched hands.

As we marveled at this shoreline “convention,” it reminded me of what can be accomplished when God’s people gather together and follow His will. Abraham took the first step of faith by following God on the journey to the Promised Land, accompanied by thousands of Israelites who would take forty years to reach their destination (Genesis 12:1-5).

Moses, obeying God’s instructions delivered from the burning bush, returned to Egypt to deliver the Hebrews from slavery and captivity under Pharaoh (Exodus 3). As they fled together, God demonstrated His amazing power by parting the Red Sea for them to pass through safely, then releasing the waters to destroy the Egyptians who pursued them (Exodus 14).

When thousands gathered on a hillside to hear Jesus preach and see Him heal the sick, He honored their devotion by feeding them not only with the daily bread of His Word, but with abundant loaves and fishes He miraculously produced from a small boy’s lunch! (Matthew 14:13-21).

When Jesus’ followers, and many who had not yet trusted in His death, burial and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15::1-4) as the only way to Heaven (John 14:6), gathered to hear Peter preach, thousands were saved and added to the church, as a previous gathering of the disciples at Pentecost had resulted in the Holy Spirit lighting upon each of them like flames of fire (Acts 2).

Yet gatherings of men apart from God’s direction can cause great chaos. In millennia past, men motivated by their own ambition and rebellion against God acted together to build a tower reaching to the sky in their own vain attempt to become divine. God punished this by giving each group a separate language, preventing their collaboration (Genesis 11:1-9).

In modern times, we have witnessed human conventions motivated either by good or by evil. Scripture orders Christians to gather together regularly to worship God, hear His Word, bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), and encourage one another, even more so as the signs of the times herald Jesus’ imminent return for His children (Hebrews 10:25).

Members of the church, or body of Christ, come from a variety of backgrounds and cultures, with different gifts and talents (Romans 12:5-8). Yet whether Jews or Gentiles, male or female, free or slave, we are all one in Him (Galatians 3:28). The Billy Graham revivals and similar Christian conventions have led to salvation of multitudes of the lost and rededication of the lives of many followers to Christ’s service.

Yet contemporary gatherings of world economic and political powers seem to be ushering in a one-world government, economy, and false religion, all foretold in Bible prophecy as facilitating the rule of Antichrist during the Great Tribulation (Daniel 2; 7; Revelation 17:12-13).

Thankfully, we Christians will not be here to see that, for we will have already gathered in that great convention in the clouds when Jesus calls all His children home at the Rapture (1 Corinthians 15:52). But then we will return to earth, united as His great army to watch Him defeat Satan’s army of all nations rallying to attack Israel (Revelation 19:11-21).

Throughout eternity thereafter, the church, or body of Christ, will have the great privilege of worshiping Him on His throne, people of all kindred, tongues, and nations synchronously lifting their voices and hearts to honor the King! (Revelation 7:9-10).

How glorious that will be, even more so than the “convention” of birds of all different species we saw unified on the ground, in the air, and in their song, reminding us of God’s infinite creativity, majesty and power deserving of praise from all His creation!   

© 2023 Laurie Collett

Photo by Laurie Collett 2023