All That Glitters
Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. Jude 1:3
Hummingbirds are intriguing! It is a miracle that they can remain stationary in mid-air. Their colors are magnificent, and I love to hear the humming sound as they flit from flower to feeder and back. Mabel Ninan (All God’s Creatures) shares a personal story with a life lesson for all of us.
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I sat on the swing on my patio, typing away on my laptop. The cool weather made working outdoors a pleasure that afternoon. I was immersed in my writing assignment when a strange buzzing noise interrupted me. I lifted my gaze to see a hummingbird so close to my laptop that I froze. As it kept itself suspended in the air by the spectacular fluttering of wings, I could see her beautiful round eyes and needle-like beak. And so did Kyle, my dog. He had attached his body next to mine on the swing, his head on my lap. He sat up as the little bird caught him unawares. Before he or I could react, the bird flew away.
I smiled, wondering what made the bird pay me a visit, up close. What attracted the hummingbird to me? I believe she was drawn to the sticker that stretched to fill the surface on my laptop. The artwork consisted of a bouquet of green and yellow flowers. The bird might have assumed the flowers were real, full of nectar.
The three-second encounter with the hummingbird stayed with me. How many times had I been seduced by false teachings? I have been drawn to certain teachers of the Bible that made me feel good about myself. They seemed to offer the perfect solutions to my problems. But upon close examination, I realized that their words contradicted the Bible. The Holy Spirit intervened at the right time, opened my eyes to the truth, and nudged me to turn away. I’m grateful that He continues to help me sift truth from fallacy and keeps me from the consequences of going down the wrong path.
Father, thank You for giving me Your Word so that I know You and Your thoughts. Thank You for the Holy Spirit who aligns my thoughts with Yours and prevents me from being influenced by false teachers. AMEN.