Parrots in the Persimmon Tree

I was sitting on our side deck finishing up my study of Acts 4, which tells about the lives of the first believers in Jesus, which had been radically transformed. This exciting chapter ends with these believers sharing with each other in incredibly selfless, loving ways – even selling their homes and properties so the proceeds could be used for the needs of their brothers and sisters in Christ. This wasn’t required of them, nor had they even been asked to do this; they were so united by the love of Christ Jesus living in them that they just did it!

This definitely is not a normal human behavior! And as I began to ponder what that might have been like, my eyes were drawn to our neighbor’s persimmon tree, with its golden-orange fruit ripening in the sun.

Quite unexpectedly I noticed something red moving up and down in the midst of the green leaves and was delightfully surprised to figure out what it was: our large squawky green parrots were quietly feeding in the persimmon tree! These normally noisy birds moved so slowly, performing a graceful dance, their green bodies camouflaged among the green leaves. Without the red spot on their heads moving up and down as they bent to eat the ripe fruit, they would have completely escaped my notice. But soon I realized there were nearly a dozen of them in this small tree!

The delicate upper branches couldn’t hold more than one parrot at a time, their sharp beaks pecking at the ripe fruit. Hearing movement above me in our ash tree, I soon discovered they had fellow flock-mates waiting quietly…patiently…watching for an opening that would allow them join the feast. When their patience grew thin, they would fly over to the parrot-filled persimmon tree. Angry squawks would erupt as they shoved the others out of the way, taking over their place on the branches by the fruit. As they moved into position, those that had been displaced would fly away. There was absolutely no sharing – it was every man (or parrot) for himself!

Sharing selflessly is not normal behavior among people OR parrots.

Granted, parrots don’t have the ability to reason, but when it comes to us and what we have – houses, cars, food, money in the bank – aren’t we just like them? Oh sure, when we hear of people in need, especially with the recent fires, hurricanes and earthquakes, we’ll send a charitable donation and offer help in tangible ways. But we sure don’t live like those 1^st Century believers, selling all of our stuff to provide for others, even within our churches. That was incredible love!

And what’s even more incredible is that God offers to fill us with that same selfless, generous love today. After all, He’s the source of that love and He never changes. So, rather than loving my stuff so much, I’m asking Him to help me love people more…loving with His transforming love…more like those first believers in Jesus.

Jesus, thank You for Your word, which shows me so clearly what You can do in me, if I will only let You. Help me to love things less and people more, as You fill me with power through Your Holy Spirit. And thank You for the parrots in the persimmon tree that helped bring this lesson alive. Amen.