John 3:16-17 – For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. (NKJV)

John 1:12-13 – But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (NKJV)

One morning in March as I stepped out my front door, I was greeted with "Dr-eee!" — the territorial call of a red-winged blackbird. That first "Dr-eee" was echoed by at least three more.

On our wetlands, the song of a red-winged blackbird heard in March is good news, a sure harbinger of spring. Imagine my delight at hearing the evidence of something that I had cherished with hope through the harsh months of winter!

My morning walk is a time for stillness of soul waiting for intuitions and nudges from the Holy Spirit.

As I strode away from the house, I was quickly reminded of our joy at first hearing any good news after a time of doubt, gloom, and adversity. Then, I recalled the reassurance of my most-trusted good news: important Scripture passages that apply to everyone in the world and how I have reworded them to express what they mean to me:

John 3:16-17 – For God so loved me that He gave me His only begotten Son, that as I believe in Him, I should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His son into the world to condemn me, but that through Him, I might be saved.

John 1:12-13 – But as I have received Him, to me He gave the right to become a child of God, to me who believes in His name: who was born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

The mystery of being one of God's beloved children living now on earth and forever in His kingdom is mine to announce, just as the red-wing blackbirds proclaimed their presence and the coming of spring from the trees in the swamp that morning.

I wonder what else could draw our attention to God's good news and trigger us to sing it out?

Prayer: Father in heaven, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour, we ask that You would make us constantly aware of the evidence of Your good news everywhere in creation. Help us to help others to hear Your good news. Amen.

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About the author:

Pat Bell <llebpat@gmail.com>
Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada
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