With over two feet of snow on the ground and another foot coming tomorrow the birds are not straying far from the feeder. However, this noon I noted not a bird in sight. Five minutes or more passed and still not a bird. It meant only one thing. They had spotted the neighborhood Sharp-shinned Hawk. He too considers our bird feeder his “bird” feeder. After he went down the street to checkout one of our neighbor’s dining area one small chickadee braved coming back to feed. Seconds later there were five and then ten and then the whole gang showed up. I’m not sure where they all had been hiding but all it took was for one brave little guy to lead the way.
And such is life among people. We too are often shy or afraid to do the right thing until someone leads the way. When we realize we don’t have to stand alone we rise to our convictions. How often as a pastor I realized if something was to be done, if something was to happen, someone needed to lead. Should we need to raise money I always was the first to contribute and also had another prepared to give. It’s called doing your homework.
But what about occasions when there is no such time for such preparation? What of moral situations that call for bravery and courage. In the classic book To Kill a Mockingbird an angry crowd sought to lynch a man until a small girl stepped out and confronted the crowd. Should we ever be in a situation that demands real courage I pray that each of us will be the first to rise to do the right thing.
Written by Roger Bothwell on February 2, 2011
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org