Taking every thought captive for obedience to Christ (2 Corinthians 10.5)

Disciplines
Feeding with the Birds
On many mornings, part of my devotional time consists of sitting before both books of revelation – Scripture and creation – and reading them side by side, like a harmony of the gospels, only a harmony of divine Self-disclosure.

In the book of Scripture, the prophets and apostles usher me into the presence of Jesus with words, tropes, and doctrines. In the book of creation, the birds that gather at our feeders come, like the writers of Scripture, as messengers of the Lord, bringing their witness to Jesus in forms, colors, and behaviors that instruct as much as they delight.

Creation declares the glory of God, and the birds we see and hear these spring mornings can serve as acolytes of the day of worship which lies ahead. Their sweet calls and songs, and their flashing, flitting, fussing forms can light up the morning and reinforce our faith and callings in several ways.

For example, they remind us to feed on the Lord’s provision, His Word and His daily bread. He never fails to provide and to satisfy, just as we make sure the birds entrusted to our care always have fresh food in the feeders. But whereas the birds do not take more than about 10% of their daily nutrition from feeders, we are utterly and completely dependent on God for all things – as, indeed are the birds. Regardless, we are like the birds, in that neither of us is very adept at expressing gratitude for the largesse.

The birds remind us that there is a divine order to the creation, and to our lives in it. Some birds come to feed as couples – cardinals, purple finches, doves (off the ground only), downy woodpeckers, and nuthatches. Others come in gangs – juncos (during fall and winter months), chickadees, chipping sparrows, goldfinches, and titmice. Still others come alone or with a friend or two – Bewick wrens, white throated sparrows, red wing blackbirds, and blue jays. They take turns at the feeders, although not without an occasional squabble or some impatient waiting or strategic maneuvering. Everyone ends up getting as much as he or she wants; they just have to follow the established order.

So it is with us. God intends us to bring order to our worship and service each day, and to observe His plan and protocols in fulfilling our callings (Rom. 12.1, 2; Eph. 5.15-17; Ps. 90.12, 16, 17). At the end of the day, if we have kept His ways, we lie down to sleep in peace, content and rejoicing in His faithfulness, and looking forward to meeting Him in the morning.

The birds are beautiful, though common, and entirely unselfconscious as to the delight or instruction they bring. They simply go about their business, being and doing according to the divine purpose and pleasure. They remind us not to aspire to things too great for us (Ps. 131), or to do anything in order to please men rather than God (1 Thess. 2.4). We can bring blessing and refreshment to the people around us just by being the persons God created us to be and fulfilling our callings, be they ever so humble and common.

The birds will return to our feeders throughout the day, whenever hunger summons them, so that they may have strength to be and do what the Creator has appointed for them. So, too, it’s a good idea for us to return to the Lord throughout the day, seeking Him, waiting on Him, and feeding on Him for strength to continue in our callings. The saints of Scripture understood this, which is why they kept regular times for prayer spread throughout the day.

The book of creation is open and before us at all times. Its purpose, as Alexander Schmemann reminded us, is “to make God known to man, to make man’s life communion with God. It is divine love made food, made life for man. God blesses everything He creates, and, in biblical language, this means that He makes all creation the sign and means of His presence and wisdom, love and revelation” (For the Life of the World).

Could we become as immersed and steeped in Scripture as we are in creation, we might see more of the beauty, wisdom, goodness, and love of the Lord, not only in the birds, but in all the good and perfect gifts with which the Lord of glory fills our lives each day. Then truly we might commune with, delight in, love, fear, and serve Him more consistently, and with greater joy and pleasure.

For reflection
1.  How would you describe your approach to “reading” the book of creation?

2.  Meditate on Psalm 19.1-4 and Psalm 145.1-13. What should we expect to learn of God by paying more attention to His works in creation?

3.  Why do you suppose Christians aren’t more involved in seeking the Lord in the book of creation?

Next steps: For one day, jot down everything in the creation around you – including in your home or at work or wherever you go in your community – that causes you to think about the Lord in any way. Review your list at the end of the day, and offer thanks and praise to God for what you were able to “read” of Him.

Creational theology is the discipline of learning to see and hear God in the works of His hand. For an introduction to and overview of this discipline, order a copy of the book Consider the Lilies: A Plea for Creational Theology from our online store (click here).

Please prayerfully consider becoming a supporter of The Fellowship of Ailbe. God is raising up many members of our community to share in the support of this work, and our prayer is that He might move and enable you to become one of these. It’s easy to give to The Fellowship of Ailbe, and all gifts are, of course, tax-deductible. You can click here to donate online through credit card or PayPal, or send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Dr., Essex Junction, VT 05452.