Lost - and found
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I’m fascinated with birds. I don’t consider myself a bird-watcher but given the opportunity, I watch birds.
One morning, when we still lived on our farm in the prairies, I noticed a pigeon leisurely pecking at the gravel in the middle of our driveway. A little while later it launched into the air as we drove down the lane, only to return to the same spot once we had passed by.
It turned out to be a racing pigeon (I won’t bore you with the details of my investigative process). By the time we discovered it perched and pecking among the pebbles of our pathway the race, in which it had been a competitor, had long been won. If I recall correctly it had been at least a week since the other racers had returned to the comfort of their coops.
Now, I’m no pigeon expert but I understand that sometimes outside forces can cause a pigeon’s internal navigational system to go bonkers. Lost, confused and exhausted our friend had paused to do what (so I’m told) pigeons do in these circumstances. They find a gravel road or driveway and peck small pebbles which somehow aid in their recovery. Once they are strong enough and regain their sense of direction they head for home.
Have you ever felt like that pigeon? One minute you’re in with the pack (or flock) the next you’re flying solo. One minute you’re on track, the next you’ve lost track. You had a real shot of winning… yesterday… a week ago… You’re no longer trying to reach the finish line… now you’re just looking for home.
What do you do when you find yourself there? What do you “peck” at?
For me I turn to the scriptures.
I don’t pile up the commentaries and dig into the “deep” truths of the bible. I don’t do word studies and mull over Greek grammar. I don’t parse or pick apart phrases while ploughing for principles. I simply read the stories.
I peck.
It’s when I “peck” that I discover anew why I’m on this spiritual journey. I rediscover the One I’m trying so hard to reach, is already with me.
I discover I am not like that pigeon, lost and alone (though I sometimes still feel like it).
When I called the owner of my pigeon-friend, he was completely unconcerned. I thought he was going to thank me effusively, rush out and rescue his bird and maybe give me a cash reward or something. Instead, his response went something like this: “…ah yeah… that bird… well, if it’s still there in a couple of weeks give me a call I might come out with some other birds to help coax it into a cage…”
A couple of weeks??? Might come??? Do you even care?
The stories of scripture affirm that no one needs to call the One I am pursuing and tell Him, “I think I’ve found something that belongs to you.” No one needs to provide Him with directions or offer to call again in a couple of weeks. No, not my Master. My Master sits in the gravel with me… and tells me stories.
Somehow that’s enough for now.