Rising Again
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (ESV)
I love a great survival story and I like chickens. (It takes me back to my childhood days of gathering eggs on the farm.) So here is a life-lesson by Tracy Crump, from All God’s Creatures about chickens and their will to adapt and live.
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One spring, a neighbor up the hill fancied himself a gentleman farmer and bought a rooster and five hens. Unfortunately, our subdivision does not allow livestock, and the homeowners association ordered him to get rid of them. Rather than giving them away, he simply released them. They scurried across the road and took up residence in a thicket of trees. I don’t know what they lived on, but not only did they survive, they thrived!
Mama hens led their broods into the road to peck for insects or bits of gravel to fill their gizzards. The rooster strutted and crowed, watching over his growing family. Tiny chicks grew and produced more young, and those grew—and so on. The next summer the authorities rounded up the chickens (a sight to see!), but a few escaped. The flock swelled again. At one point, at least fifty fowl inhabited the woods. Those chickens entertained us for almost three years, but finally, the powers that be collected every last one, and our neighborhood was chicken-less once again.
I admire the resilience those simple domesticated birds displayed. Not only did they adjust to being released into the wild to take care of themselves, but they recovered from the reduction of their flock to almost nothing.
If only I could bounce back so easily. When I’m thrown into new situations or lose friend or family members I’ve come to rely on, I sometimes become paralyzed, not knowing which way to turn. Only when I turn to Jesus, remembering He is always there to help me rise again, can I persevere. Sometimes He surrounds me with others who can help. Other times, regrouping in His strength gives me the fortitude to endure my trials.
I never thought I’d want to imitate a chicken, but in this case, maybe so.
For the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity. Proverbs 24:16 (ESV)
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The older I get, I don’t seem to recover from anything very quickly. However, I am assured that Jesus is with me, no matter what happens. He gives me the strength to rise again!
Loving Father, thank You for keeping us safe under the shelter of Your wings. Help us to stay near and not wander off and when we do, please give us the wisdom to run back to You. No matter how many times we fall down, give us strength to rise again. AMEN.