20 Do not revile the king even in your thoughts,

or curse the rich in your bedroom,

because a bird of the air may carry your words,

and a bird on the wing may report what you say.

NIV

This bit of advice is telling us to watch what we say regardless of where we are.  Good advice.  Birds seem to represent the silent witness that no one regards.  They are unassuming and harmless.  They can be trusted because they have no power, no voice.

So why do I want to be around them?  I am a birder.  Every month I look forward to receiving my copy of Birds and Blooms.  Spending time on my back porch watching birds is one of my favorite past times.  It is a very slow pace hobby.  It is right up there with watching grass grow as far as exercise is concerned.  What does it do for me?  Why do I watch the birds?

There is of course the obvious beauty to enjoy.  However, there is more than just brilliant color and melodious sound.   Student ministry can be a very fast paced life.  It is full of sound and problems.  My job has gotten more technical as time goes on.  I’m not complaining mind you.  I wouldn’t trade my life for anyone else’s.  However, watching birds is a great escape. We live in a complex world and there is something very relaxing about the simplicity of watching birds.  We live in a loud world.  Traffic, TV, radio, cell phones… It is impossible to escape the noise of my world.  The sounds of birds singing bring a natural calm to my soul.

In Matthew 6:26, Jesus tells us that God takes care of birds, so surely He will take care of us.  When a bird falls God knows about it (Matthew 10:29).  It seems birds are used to let us know that God cares and provides for us.  Why did God use birds as the example?  There beauty and their innocence have caught the attention of people since creation.  God has adorned birds in colorful attire to captivate us.  They please our eyes.  They are like flying flowers which catch our attention and calm our hearts.  I believe that when a person is born again they become more alive to everything God has made.  There is more significance in a sunrise, a tree, wind blowing the grass.  We see the world through the eyes of our Father.  He put all this together.  Watching birds becomes a tribute to the artist, God.

I was thinking about it so I thought I would share it with you.