Psalm 32:8 – I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will guide you with My eye. (NKJV)

For about 35 years, I had a flock of homing pigeons. I didn't race them, but I took them out for a fly on occasion, mostly for short distances — sometimes longer ones — and they would always find their way home. I had one big white cock bird who was a definite leader. He was very dominant and was always in charge. My little grandson and I named him "Pest" because he was always pestering the other birds. Whenever I took them out for a fly, he would always lead them home, and he was always the first one to land.

Some fifteen years ago, I was asked to lead the service in one of our churches quite some distance away. I had used the subject of my pigeons there one time in my children's story, and as they were going to have the service outside that Sunday, they asked me if I could possibly bring some of my pigeons and perhaps release them, so that the children could see them leave for home. I told them that I could probably do that.

But first, I wanted to train them in that direction a few times. So, one day, I took them about one-third of the way to that church and released them. They circled around a few times and then took off in the direction of home. When I arrived, they were all there. So, the following week, I took them about two-thirds of the way, about 65 kilometres from home. I went through the usual procedure and released them, and after a few rounds, they headed away in the right direction.

However, when I got home, they were not there, not one of them. Much later that day, about half of them showed up, and about three weeks later, one more. The rest never did. To this day, I don't know what happened to them. For pigeons, there are many dangers out there. They can fly into power lines; there are hawks; and sometimes, a sudden storm will cause them to get disoriented and lose their way. This time, not even Pest could lead them home, nor did he ever return.

Isn't that the way it is in our spiritual lives as well? We lose our way at times, with temptations all around us. Our emotional or spiritual direction may shift with the winds of fortune or disaster. The storms in our lives may cause us to lose our way.

However, the Bible tells us:

Ephesians 4:14 – We should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting. (NKJV)

The one thing that we can count on when danger is all around us is that God is with us, and He will lead us safely home.

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, we thank You that whatever situation may confront us, You are always with us to guide us and give us comfort. We thank You in Jesus' name. Amen.

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About the author:

Joel Jongkind <austria67@bmts.com>
Meaford, Ontario, Canada
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