.jpeg)
2 P&P Weekly Blog for 21-27 September 2024
This is a rose-breasted Grosbeak. Have you ever seen one before? We recently met these two at one of our favorite parks here in Wisconsin. I had to find out the name of this most interestingly marked bird. It turns out that both of these images are of males of the same species. I loved seeing the contrast of its front red breast (thus its name) to its back (predominately black and white) feathers.
While the front of it stands out, the reverse gives it camouflage. Isn’t that fascinating? It was to me. Its song is said to be something like the Robin with a little sweeter tune and an extra “chink” sound. They like to eat seeds and such, but they also forage for natural berries and insects. They will often be spotted high up on the limbs unless they find a feeder such as this one or a birdbath or something else to attract their attention or fancy.
While these beauties can be found from the East Coast to the middle of the US as far West as the Rockies, in contrast, it winters from central Mexico south to Ecuador, and some even reach Peru. What an international traveler it is! Have you ever considered this to be a miracle? For such a small creature in God’s repertoire to be able to fly such great distances?
I love how the left bird appears to illustrate the message of Salvation. With its black head, we see the image of our sin before we come to know Christ. Its crimson chest reminds us of the blood He shed for us upon Calvary. And the white is His forgiveness, grace, mercy, and coat of righteousness with which He dresses us.
Perhaps the right one shows us—for instance, the black stands for our sins and how they affect us if we do not surrender our lives to Christ—because it runs through everything that we are, everything that we do, and everything that we become or touch. There is no distinction between this life and the world.
Whereas the Christian will stand out and contrast markedly from its counterpart—in how it looks, acts, and sounds, where it eats and the company it keeps. Let’s look at a few places in Scripture that speak to these truths.
Isaiah 1:18 NIV: “‘Come now, let us settle the matter,’ says the Lord. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.’”
John 8:12 ESV: “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”
Acts 26:18 ESV: “To open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”
Psalm 51:7 NASB: “Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”
Dear Lord, thank You for making such striking creatures as this bird that you’ve dressed so beautifully in shades of red, white, and black. In contrast, it reminds me of my need for Your mercy, grace, and forgiveness. It gives me a fresh gratitude for the gift of Salvation and the sacrifice You made for me at Calvary. Upon the Cross, You defeated darkness to become my Light. I hide myself in the shelter of Your wings. Cleanse me daily and refine within me the qualities of Your character so that it’s apparent that I belong to You, I pray. Amen.
If we are to be known as followers of Christ, we will emulate Him, not contrast His ways.
2 Pause and Praise Creations ©
Comments