During breakfast this morning we had a delightful array of birds at the feeder just on the other side of the window. Feasting on the seeds and suet were Black-capped Chickadees, Cardinals, Blue Jays, a Carolina Wren, three kinds of woodpeckers and of course sparrows. We have yet to have house guests be upset by the variety of birds in our yard. We have a yard list. This means they have to actually be in our yard. They can’t be counted if we only see them next door or across the street. There are 72 birds on our yard list. The more variety the happier we are.
So how is it that we can rejoice in God’s creative display among birds but harbor not so nice feelings about God’s variety of people? We enjoy seeing an array of birds at the same bird feeder but we don’t have the same joy when an array of different colors of people show up at a church potluck or move in next door. We talk about being in heaven with a great array of people but often we fail to make the connection that Jesus’ basic message was that the Kingdom of God begins now.
Perhaps we feel threatened by differences. We are comfortable with those like ourselves. There are reasons, some legitimate and others not so legitimate, why birds of a feather flock together. It is natural to be concerned about things and people we don’t understand. Understanding seems to be the issue. Education and exposure often enable us to grow more comfortable. Paul said it so very plainly in Galatians 3:28, “In Christ there is no Jew nor Greek. We are one in Christ.”
Written by Roger Bothwell on January 6, 2009
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574