A hummingbird kept flying to the window of the house my husband and I recently purchased. Not knowing if the previous owners had been feeding the birds, I decided to put a feeder out to see if the birds would feed. The first day a hummingbird found the food and began drinking. The next day the bird had a friend. It has been a week since I placed the feeder outside and there are many birds coming, too many to count.
GATHER FRIENDS
As I sat on the porch enjoying the hummingbirds, I began to wonder how the bird communicated to the others to come. They didn’t selfishly consume the food, but seemed to gather their friends which gathered their friends, to find fulfillment in the sweet food. Even though they seem to fight and feud, they continue to come and be filled. They also brought more friends.
GET FED
This caused me to think about the church where believers gather. Let’s pretend the birdfeeder is the church building. The birds are the people who come to worship. The food, in our imagination, is the good news of God’s Word. As a believer, we go to the feeder (church) and get fed (worship and hear the word).
RETURN WITH OTHERS
The sharing of the good news where others can be fed is not done at the feeder. The birds leave and return with others. The process of getting others to come to be fed is not done in the church building. It is done outside in the workplace, restaurants, stores, and neighborhoods.
TELL OTHERS
The only thing that can fully satisfy a person, is a life that is changed by the accepting of Jesus as Lord and Savior. As we leave the feeder (church), it is our responsibility to tell others of Jesus and bring them to the feeder. People are hungry for a true filling that satisfies all longing. So often, we fail by not pointing others to the food that truly feeds them and inviting them to the feeder.
FOOD IS PLENTIFUL
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if our churches would see a rapid increase in those hungry for the good news? Most people sure aren’t going to come on their own. It takes time, love, and a continual outreach. Is it always effective? Not always. The Bible tells us that anyone who rejects our plea for them to accept Christ is a rejection of God, not us. However, why would we want to be selfish and keep the food for ourselves and not include our family, friends, and acquaintances? There is plenty of food to go around.
SHARE NEWS “The Good News”
“When they said, “Let’s go to the house of God,” my heart leaped for joy.” Psalms 122:1MSG
If We Are The Body Casting Crowns
Paula Wallace
Bird Watching a unique timeout
