I have often made the statement: “It’s all about discipleship.” No matter what you look at or think about, I like to make a connection to discipleship.
Lately I’ve been reflecting on birds and how they fly. Perhaps you’ve noticed this as well. Even though I live in a city, we are right near a river and a stormwater pond, so many types of birds are present. And to me, they represent the many seasons of discipleship.
There are the birds of prey – hawks and eagles – soaring high in the sky. It all seems so effortless. They catch the thermal updrafts and appear to float in the air, rarely needing to move their wings. Their eyes watching the ground below, perhaps a mouse can be spotted and a meal enjoyed. Yet they appear at peace.
We do enjoy seasons of this at times in our discipleship. Things seem to align, we experience a season of peace, God is close, relationships are good, the scriptures speak clearly. It is good.
At the other end are ducks. How exhausting to watch them fly. Have you noticed this? There is no space to glide and enjoy the flight, it is all work. Even to take off from the pond seems to take a long time – a lot of energy for so little gain. Yet somehow they make it to the next spot. And then to watch them land, gliding along the water. It’s as though they yell out “Phew, at last, we made it. Time to rest. Is everyone okay?”
Our discipleship feels like this sometimes as well. Putting out a lot of energy – in prayer, in scripture, in service to others, in wrestling with touch questions – and it feels like such little has been gained. Was it even worth it? We land in exhaustion, wondering if we have the strength to even try to fly again. Perhaps you are there now?
How about hummingbirds? Their wings beat 10-80+times a second, depending on the species. Their heart rate is 1,200 beats a minute. Sounds exhausting? And yet they appear so peaceful. Flitting here and there. Gathering food. Hovering in place and then moving on. All very intentional, all very focussed. And they are extremely small, yet can also be quite aggressive, punching above their weight class. Yet with all of the energy expended, they appear to accomplish exactly what they were meant to accomplish, with no regrets.
Discipleship can appear like this at times as well. We do put out a lot, yet it still feels in some ways as it should be, and we feel as though the results of our efforts match the energy expended. We are grateful.
And this is our discipleship is it not? One month we feel like a hawk, the next like a duck and then like a hummingbird. And on we could go. Herons, robins, blue jays, red-winged black birds.
Reflecting on this may appear strange to you, yet I like to allow whatever is around me to guide me into reflecting on my personal discipleship. It keeps me focussed and aware of the unique journey a relationship with Jesus is.
So, how about you? What in your life can allow you to deepen your walk with Jesus? Because remember, it’s all about discipleship. And discipleship is “for the birds.”
For the kingdom.