Cautions for a Rainy Day

The last time it rained here the little birds that frequent our feeders stayed in the shelter of the large trees on our property.  Raindrops splashed all around, but they were safe and dry.  When the sun finally came out, they arrived at their feeding troughs by the dozens – chattering and chirping as they sought  spots on each perch.  They were pretty hungry since they hadn’t been able to eat for most of the day.  And so they ate with abandon – without a care in the world…until…

Another bird hadn’t been able to eat for most of the day, also: the hawk!  And in he swooped, hungrily snatching up an unsuspecting song bird as it sat eating it’s supper – becoming supper itself for this larger bird of prey.

I think there’s a lesson in that.  I’ve noticed that when I’ve gone through a storm in my life and the rain clouds have moved on, I easily return to my regular routine.  Sometimes I forget the lessons that I learned during that time, thinking I won’t have to deal with them again.  Other times I focus so much on what I’ve learned that I feel I have blinders on and don’t notice what is taking place around me.  When I do either of those, my enemy can easily sneak in and snatch me away from that place of focus on God and His way of living.  I get kind of selfish and me-focused; I begin to grumble; I lose my compassion for the needs of others.  Before I know it my peace is gone and I’m miserable – and probably miserable to be around!

I want to make sure this is a lesson I don’t forget.  Regardless of what I encounter in life I want to always be “merciful in action, kindly in heart, humble in mind” (Col 3:12-13, Phillips).  I want to live out my theme for this year and “…run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus” (Heb. 12: 1-2).  With that focus – eyes fixed on Jesus – I’ll be ready to stand firm when the enemy tries to attack.

It’s raining again today. What will your focus be?