Birds

Birds

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“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus,” Galatians 3:28, NIV.

They do say birds of a feather flock together. Which is pretty true. One doesn’t see penguins nesting with ostriches. One also won’t find sparrows soaring happily with birds that have three inch talons. God created species of their own kind.

Yet, God made mankind a little lower than the angels and literally breathed His life into them. This sets people above the animal kingdom. However, people also find security in flocking together. We group with likeminded, or language-minded others.

This is why when Paul proclaimed that there was no longer a division in the Christian family of faith, it shattered expectations.

One can almost hear conversations in the households of first century believers: What are we to do now? Get along with everyone? How is that even possible?

It can be challenging for sure. It also reveals something unique is happening when cohesiveness exists. When groups of people that traditionally should not like each other, break bread together. This is what sets the church apart. Or at least it ought to.

“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭133‬:‭1‬, ‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We should be sitting next to and conversing with a variety of people every Sunday, not just our friends. This makes a difference to those attending church for the first time—watching how strangers and different cultures mingle.

Our church has home-based Bible studies called Life Groups, where we literally do life together. One never knows who will sign up for your group. But because there is a history of welcoming others well, we don’t stress about it too much. Yes, it might take some time to break the ice, but usually groups end up growing and caring about each other deeply.

As I walked today, I thought about my Life Groups and wondered what these new women are like. A bird flew by and I was beautifully distracted from my thoughts. I watched as two birds of different species shared food off of the same tree. I thought, that’s what it’s all about—all of us sharing our Father’s offerings, together.

So tonight, I open my home to known and unknown women and eagerly await my Father’s meal.

How is your heart today? Are you ready to greet and welcome someone different into your life? It could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Father,

I just need to trust You in all my comings and goings. I need to keep my hand firmly placed in Yours as I hold out the other one in welcome.

Help me to love others like You do. Help me to welcome well and listen with love to what is brought to the table. It might be an issue, but it also might be a blessing.

Your will be done.

Amen.