It was a beautiful sunny afternoon when I went out for a walk around the neighborhood. I know we desperately need rain, but I do love the sunshine and blue skies when I am outside!
As I descended the hill toward the lake, I heard lots of birds singing. When I got closer, I realized that there were maybe a hundred birds in one large tree near the lake, and they were singing their hearts out. The mystery of it was that I could not see one bird in that tree, but I could hear them during my entire walk around the neighborhood. They were loud!
Then as I made my way back to the house and passed by this tree again, I saw 5 birds fly from the tree while the others were still singing. Only 5 left the tree. God, what are you showing me??
What would you think about if you had witnessed this? My first thought went to Acts with the coming of the Holy Spirit and the church.
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 2:1-4 (NKJV)
Consider this: The birds were all located together and singing together in one tree just as the disciples and the crowd of people came together “with one accord in one place”.
And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.
Acts 2:6 (NKJV)
Consider this: The birds were so loud that I couldn’t distinguish whether they were communicating the same message or not, but I could imagine the confusion brought about “because everyone heard them speak in his own language”.
Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
Acts 3:41-17, (NKJV)
Consider this: those who were baptized came together to form the church. They shared their food with each other, learned from the apostles’ teachings, and prayed together.
AND they did this with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
But what about the 5 birds that flew away? The 5-fold ministry came to mind:
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the [a]edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ
Ephesians 4:11-13
The tree was full of large numbers of birds singing to the top of their lungs. No one left the tree for about 20 minutes. They were unified as a community and praising God for what He had given them. Then 5 flew away. It was as if God sent the 5 out of the tree to teach, preach, establish ministries, and bring others together in unity of the faith.
Dear Friends, can we not achieve this simplicity of heart by praising God and sharing together?! Yes, there are several “reasons” why we have not come to this point of spirituality, but are these reasons so important that we put them before God? I continually ask myself this question, especially at this time.
I pray that we as a community and a nation can come together, even if we do not agree on various issues. I pray that we can come together to worship a God who knows what is before us and will lead us if we will let Him.
Thanks for stopping by,
Rachel
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