Bird-Brain Building Projects

The cats were in a frenzy this morning, and as I passed the window at the kitchen sink, that looks onto my porch, I knew why. I was treated to a very close 'fly-by' –I nearly lost my cup of tea - my robin was back! Every spring, its renewed efforts to build a nest on top of my kitchen window amaze me! After humoring this bird the first time it succeeded, (I was thinking it was cute!), I decided (and so did hubby), that putting up with the twigs, grasses, and bits of whatever, floating down and collecting on the porch deck, just wasn't going to happen! (And, in all fairness, for its own 'peace of mind' - we won't frighten it every time the door is opened as we go in and out!) So I begin again… to get my broom, to swipe along the top of the crown molding to remove the “building materials” before any foundation can be laid. This bird will just have to pick a different spot! Yet, year after year, it comes back, checking out this building site -- you can almost see the wheels in its bird-brain spinning, endeavoring to make this work out once again. How persistent they are! I will roll up a section of newspaper again this year, and place it on the top ledge, to block the space - “no nesting allowed!”
But every year, their hope returns.

I wonder how often, we display the same “bird-brain” tendencies ~ to be persistent in our building projects: in the dreams we build and the goals we set up; in our determined efforts to see each dream and goal fulfilled according to how we envisioned it; and to plot our course of action based on what we ‘know’ ~ drawing upon previous experiences and/or traditions.

After all, nobody wants to move forward “blindly” ~ and, certain ‘methods’ guarantee results. Certain locations seem ‘safe and secure’…

But "God’s ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts higher than our thoughts" ~ Isaiah 55:8-9. As God purposed to build His people, and settle them in His promised land, He moved them out, to cross the Jordan River, in “a new way” -- instructing them to follow the ark of the covenant:

“When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then you shall move from your place and go after it. Yet keep a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure. Do not come near it, so that you may know the way by which you must go. For you have not passed this way before now." Joshua 3:3-4

“You have not passed this way before”

When the children of Israel crossed the Red Sea, God had parted the waters before anyone moved ahead. They saw the wonders of God, as He ‘made a way’ for them. Now, as God begins a new chapter in their lives, He tells them, “you have not passed this way before.” There were no experiences to rely upon, and no traditions to fall back on. They could only trust that God would, again, ‘make a way’ ~ and the proof of their trust would be evidenced in their obedience – as they ‘followed on.’

“When you see the ark… follow it!”

This time the waters didn’t part until the priests stepped out in faith. This time, they had to get their feet wet! They were learning to "walk by faith." This beautiful Old Testament picture is for every believer today ~ how we, too, must walk by faith -- only 'moving from our place' as we follow after God's Voice -- this is 'the way by which we must go.' It is the way of faith. It takes just as much faith to 'stay in your place' - waiting for His signal - as it does to 'move out' when you hear His Voice. In fact, often, it requires greater faith to 'wait.' How many times have we formed a 'terrific plan' to carry out a 'good work' - in the absence of a specific word from God? Our best thinking - apart from His direction - is not Faith -- it's 'Labor and Spin.' But, the world tells us: "Don't just stand there... do something!" As a 'people' ~ we tend to want to be seen as: 'doing something'... rather than: 'standing before the LORD - waiting on Him.' But God says:

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"Don't just 'do something' ~ Stand there!"

Wait for God's direction ~ and then, follow Him, one step at a time. The only ‘word’ the Israelites had from God: “when you see the ark… follow it!” They had to ‘follow on to know – to know the way to go.” How beautifully this, too, pictures Jesus ~ Who is "The Way" and we must keep our eyes on Him!

"And I will bring the blind by a way they knew not; I will lead them in paths they have not known; I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. I will do these things to them, and not forsake them." Isaiah 42:16

"For we walk by faith, not by sight" 2 Corinthians 5:7

God is the Architect of every ‘building project’ we encounter – when we live our lives in Him.
King David (the most likely writer of Psalm 127) exhorts his son, Solomon ~

“Unless the LORD build the house, they labor in vain that build it.” Psalm 127:1

We can be ‘bird-brained’ oftentimes, though, … formulating a vision of what the outcome should be, and working towards that end… the result? “Wood, hay, and stubble”—1 Corinthians 3:12.

"...But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is." 1 Corinthians 3:10-13

When we surrender our building projects to the LORD ~ it is an act of worship! We worship in the beauty of holiness ~ bringing Him our gifts of gold, silver, and precious stones! Our 'beautiful surrender' brings glory to His Name! Then, we find ourselves in the Valley of Blessing~

"O our God, ...we have no might... neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon You"

2 Chronicles 20:12

"The valley of Berachah"

“And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah; for there they blessed the LORD…” 2 Chronicles 20:26

Simply ‘follow on’ ~ in one step of faith at a time. Wait for His Voice, and then follow as He calls! As another “lily” most profoundly sings:

“Could it be that He is only waiting there to see

If I will learn to love the dreams that He has dreamed for me?”

He is the Master-Builder, and His designs and dreams for you may include castles!

“Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.”

“I Will Listen”
by Twila Paris
Hard as it seems
Standing in dreams
Where is the dreamer now?

Wonder if I wanted to try

Would I remember how?
I don’t know the way to go from here

But I know that I have made my choice

This is where I stand until He moves me on

And I will listen to His voice

This is the faith

Patience to wait

When there is nothing clear

Nothing to see

Still we believe

Jesus is very near
I cannot imagine what will come

But I’ve already made my choice

And this is where I stand until He moves me on

And I will listen to His voice

Could it be that He is only waiting there to see

If I will learn to love the dreams that He has dreamed for me

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Can’t imagine what the future holds

But I’ve already made my choice

And this is where I stand until He moves me on

And I will listen to His voice

For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle-dove is heard in our land; The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell.
Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.
Song of Solomon 2:11-13