I had two encounters with birds last week. One very close and personal. Walking into Walgreens, minding my own business, a starling swooped down and hit me in the right shoulder blade in a flurry of wings, tiny claws and deep throated squawks. It felt like a scene out of the Hitchcock movie, The Birds. I hurried into the store hoping it wouldn’t follow me. The whole scene was replayed a few moments later on another unsuspecting woman entering the store. The clerk said that it was a recurring issue in the spring when the starlings build their nests near the building. Apparently, they’ve been known to wait in the parking lot to attack the unsuspecting getting in and out of their cars. That’s pretty sinister.

My other encounter was much more pleasant. Running along the canal for my morning jog, I heard a chorus of gentle clucking and peeping coming from the water. As I came around the corner, I saw a mama duck clucking and four peeping fluff balls paddling close behind and beside her. She clucked at her newly hatched ducklings to keep them close and safe. The ducklings instinctively followed the sound of her voice and stuck close peeping in response. Their little lives literally depend on their listening and following instinct.

Truth #1 – The sinister enemy lies in wait ready to attack the unsuspecting going about their daily lives. He often comes out of nowhere hitting us from behind. For the believer, he has no power but all the commotion, squawks and tiny claws are unnerving to say the least. The enemy can make a lot of noise but can do me no harm if my soul stays under the protective wings of God.

If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. Psalm 91:9-10

Truth #2 – God gently speaks into my heart to keep me close. It’s my job to listen and respond with my own little peeps following close behind and beside him. Other voices attempt to get my attention and lead me into danger. So, my little life literally depends on how well I listen, discern, and follow the voice of God.

but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm. Proverbs 1:33

One of my favorite verses in all of Scripture is Deuteronomy 30:20. It beautifully sums up these truths and the whole of the Christian life:

…love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life….