Articles/Bulletins
Grackle
R E F L E C T I O N S
Thoughts on nature and the Christian faith - 1/31/22
"Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom
of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear."
- Mt. 13:43
This common grackle is a gregarious bird with a voracious appetite. In winter they gather in flocks and consume almost everything in sight. Corn fields especially can be decimated. Our backyard was recently invaded with a large flock of these birds and this particular one posed long enough on a branch for me to capture his image. One of the striking things about grackles is how sparkling and iridescent their feathers are when sunlight hits them. The reflected light from a recent snowfall further helped to illuminate this bird. In dim light these birds appear to be black, but their colors really pop when light strikes them. It was quite a joy to watch this flock dancing in the light before the flock moved on. Color is always welcomed in such a monochrome world as this. Jesus tells us that those who are his will also shine like this in his kingdom. I believe that when Jesus said this he was primarily referring to what we will be like when Jesus takes us home with him to be with his Father. What that shining will entail we do not know, but I am sure it will be glorious. But I also believe that Jesus could have been referring to what we should be like in this dark world right now. Christians, who have been born again by the Spirit of God have been given colors to show the world. So let your colors shine. Let the world see that what we have is not something we have attained, but is something we have been given. Our colors and our light is a reflected light and a reflected color. It reflects the one in whom we have put our trust, and it is available to all who will come with empty hands to the Giver of all gifts. And I am sure he wants his gifts to be shared. - John
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