8 For my thoughts are not your
thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. 9 For
as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than
your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. -Isaiah
55:8, 9 (KJV)
Something I have inherited from my father
is a compassion for animals. Had he not been a welder by trade
I believe my dad would have made a fine veterinarian. The house
in which I grew up had a chimney that we never used, but birds would
sometimes find their way down the chimney and become stuck. We
always knew when another bird was stranded in the chimney because we
could hear it flapping its wings and thrashing around inside.
When this happened Dad would open the flu of the chimney which allowed
the bird to fly into the house. Dad would then calmly wait until
the bird had landed somewhere, in a corner or on a chair, and he would
then catch the bird with his bare hands. Following this was their safe release outside. Sparrows, pigeons, doves,
and blue jays were the usual suspects. Needless to say, the event
always generated at least some excitement.
All of this came to mind a week or so ago
when a small Carolina Wren became stuck in a light fixture on our carport.
The cover to the carport light is missing, and we have been using the
new type of circular fluorescent light bulbs. Somehow this little
fellow managed to get his leg caught between the coils of the light
bulb. I found him thrashing around up there and he would have
surely died. Like my father had done countless times before, it
was time to put my bird rescue skills into action. I stood on
a chair and using a small cloth I carefully enclosed the struggling
bird in my hand. With my other hand I was then able to gently
free the bird’s leg, which I fear may have been broken by all his
thrashing about. The operation completed, I carried him into the
yard and unfolded the cloth. The wren needed about a second to
realize he was free and he flew like a shot toward the nearest tree
and out of sight. If the bird could talk he might have been shouting,
“I’m free, free, free!” Dad would have been proud of my
handling of the situation.
As I reflected on this, I tried to place
myself in the bird’s place. What did he think of all this?
Here I am, stuck in a hopeless situation. All of a sudden this
being, larger and stronger than my mind can comprehend, approaches me.
I have no idea his intentions. Suddenly, I am enclosed in his
huge hand, yet he is not harming me. My mind races as I try to
understand what he is trying to do. I feel his powerful, yet gentle
touch. I am engulfed in his presence. Now the light shines
and I am free – I can fly away! I have been rescued! Thank
you for saving me from my desperate plight.
God Almighty, a being above and beyond our
comprehension, has made Himself known to us in Jesus Christ. Through
faith in Him the Lord takes us into His hand, He engulfs us in His presence,
and in so doing He sets us free from sin, death, sorrow, and hell.
In Christ we are now free to fly, yes, to soar with wings like eagles,
for we are now free, free, free!
