For a few days the Lord was giving me this sweet little picture. It was so clear and detailed of a bird cage with the door left open. I noticed the little bird in the cage walk towards the open door very slowly almost fearfully …realizing the cage was floating in water she dipped her toe into the water….it was apparently cold so she drew back her foot and ran back to the back of the cage. This was something I pondered for days. I have seen many and even myself at times choose the cage rather than freedom. I have talked with many men and women in some form of a cage. Yet somehow the freedom is frightening…more so than the familiar cage. When I had suffered illness for a long period of time I almost had to re-learn being well after I was healed. I had adjusted to life with illness but had to re-adjust to life without it. When many are released from prison they tend to struggle after the release…because the uncertainty is overwhelming, yet the prison was predictable. Many times we stay in what’s familiar because it’s become our new normal rather than being like Abraham and walking into a place to which he was a stranger. Yet it was the land to which he was a stranger that God was giving him. Christ desires us to be free. Yet, it will take faith to have freedom…faith to risk, faith to walk into the unknown, faith to dip your toe into the cold water and choose to go into the deep rather than shrink back to where you’ve been…trusting the Lord moment by moment that His plan is good and His protection is promised. It doesn’t mean there won’t be trials and struggles, mountains and valleys, but we can rest knowing that all things will work together for our good…so if Christ opens a door for you in an area…don’t be afraid to walk through it…the hardest step will be the first..:)
The Swallow
The door of the cage was left open
The little swallow slowly walked to the ledge.
Peeking over she was floating in water
She stuck her foot gently to the edge.
With tip toes she pointed her foot down
And her toe was pierced by such cold
And fear of what was outside now
Gripped her inside her very soul.
She ran back to the same ole’ dark corner
For it had become a refuge made
Freedom it seemed was so foreign
And comfort was familiar in the cage.
She heard a whisper “you are not alone”
And the tears welled up in her eyes
For she knew that gentle sweet Father
Was beckoning her to arise.
She stood up and gave a small whimper
Fighting such panic of heart
And slowly made one step….then another
To the edge where the cage now rocked.
She peered to what seemed a vast ocean
Deep the waters looked a dark blue
The voice she could hear in the distance
Calling “come” I have abundant life for you.
The tug of war of emotional conversations
The “what if’s” and the “what if I’m wrongs”
“What if I’m not truly hearing
This melody from freedom’s song?”
Confusion it covered the hope now
And just as she thought to turn back
The voice of many waters
Whispered “trust me…look up and not back.”
Once again she tapped at the water
Now her foot is fully submerged
And gripping with dear life the doorway
She pulled the other foot with a tug.
Her heart was racing so fiercely
She looked down to see she could stand
Somehow under the waters
Was a platform…no wait!...”it’s a hand…”
With one step she heard the door behind her
Close with a gentle locking sound
She gazed behind her to see nothing
No cage that once kept her bound.
In a moment sheer joy filled her heart cry
Simultaneously also came fright
For where and what would she do now
Then she felt a hug very tight.
“Remember little bird consider the lilies
How I dress them with beauty arrayed
There’s no need to worry of tomorrows
For all of your days long ago made.
So jump on my wings and just rest now
For the journey is too much for you
And I will carry you further
And feed manna strengthening you.”
With that she tucked into His feathers
She noticed she was soaring in mid-air
On His back she soared with no effort
For He was flying her somewhere.
She closed her eyes just to be still
And felt His wind thru her hair
She heard the most amazing melodies
As she slept knowing He loved and cared.
Pretty soon she was rubbing her eyes
Wondering where she was
And she looked at the most beautiful landscape
Pristine with the shining sun.
She whispered “wonder where this is?”
The rivers had grand waterfalls
And the voice of many waters
Said this is where you have been called.
January 17, 2016
Swallow
Hebrew. deror, i.e., “the bird of freedom” ( Psalms 84:3 ; Proverbs 26:2 ), properly rendered swallow, distinguished for its swiftness of flight, its love of freedom, and the impossibility of retaining it in captivity.
