Articles/Bulletins
Mother Osprey
Windstream Mail
I spent some time watching a mother osprey on her nest, and was awed by her commitment to defend and protect her young. This nest was erected on a nature conservation center to attract ospreys and to provide a safe environment for them to raise their young. This nest site is surrounded by a high fence to keep people from approaching too close. I shot this image from the fence with a telephoto lens. The fence protects the ospreys from human intrusion, but not from harassment by other birds. While I was photographing, several birds flew close to the nest only to meet a mother ready to protect her young. Most mothers in the natural world will do almost anything to guard their young from potential danger. We also, as Christians, are charged with guarding something precious to us. We have been entrusted with the gospel, a treasure more important than even our families. What God has done for us in Jesus is priceless. Its acceptance means the difference between life and death, between eternal life and condemnation. And this amazing good news has been entrusted to us who have put our complete trust in its veracity and in nothing else. To accept what Christ has done for us and then allow it to be perverted or distorted is to dishonor the One who gave his life so that we might be saved. And make no mistake, the gospel is under attack. Whether by the growing list of vocal atheists, or by the competing voices of other religions, or by the increasing number of scripturally illiterate members in many churches, what God has done for us in Christ is being ignored, diluted, and twisted to accommodate current trends. What we have been entrusted with and commissioned to guard calls for diligence as well as bravery. Respond to error with love, but respond we must. And don't despair. The Holy Spirit of God who dwells within you will guide you if you will but let him. Please let him. - John
