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Listen while you read: "Fight The Good Fight"1
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There's a beautiful family of North American songbirds called the Wood Warblers. Every spring, when these colourful little birds return to their breeding grounds, the heavens are filled with their trills and whistles. There are over 50 species, and each has its own distinct song.
While they provide joy to those of us who hear them, the warblers' songs serve very practical purposes. It is generally the male that sings, and he uses his song to attract a mate and to establish and secure his territory. Throughout the nesting season, the male will spend time every day singing from various perches around the perimeter of his territory, announcing to potential competitors, "This is mine!"
I recently learned that the baby birds begin learning their appropriate song while still in the nest. As their father circulates around his area and sings, defending his territory, the nestlings are listening to his song, which is being imprinted upon them. However, if the father is too far away for long stretches of time, and a male of a different species is singing his own song close by, it is possible that the offspring will learn the wrong song.
Imagine how confusing and difficult it would be for a bird to find a mate and live out its life when it has learned the wrong song!
It reminds me how important it is for us to listen to the right voice. Jesus said:
John 10:27 – My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. (NIV)
John 10:10-11 – The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (NIV)
Let us keep our ears tuned to the voice of our good shepherd.
Prayer: Our beloved Father in heaven, there are so many competing voices in our world. Help us to hear Yours and Your Son's above all others. Teach us to listen well, and help us to follow Jesus, our good shepherd. Amen.
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About the author:
Angie Williams <aw8675334@gmail.com>
Smooth Rock Falls, Ontario, Canada
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Thank you.
Great illustration!
Thanks for sharing this encouraging devotion, Angie.
Wonderful! Thanks.
(B.C.)
Amen Angie. Thanks for a good reminder.
Blessings.
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us. Absolutely love bird songs! Blessings.
So true, Angie. Thanks for reminding us to listen to the right voice in this busy world. God Bless!
Thank you. I didn’t know this about warblers. Wonderful example of listening to the right call. Happy April.
What a delightful inspiration your devotional is today, Angie. Also I really loved hearing where you live. Makes me smile.
Thanks Angie, such a cheerful devotional to start the day with. The birds singing says Spring is here with new life. Blessings.
Thanks Angie,
Love the analogy.
Be blessed.
Angie,
Thank you for this very clear devotional. How careful we all need to be to follow the voice of Jesus.
Thank you, Angie, for your very good words of advice. Yes, following the words of Jesus gives us the best results in our daily life. Blessings for writing and submitting this devotional today.
You hit the nail on the head, Angie, with your mention “so many different voices.” I am old enough to be grateful that I am not one bit attracted to those many different voices. Thank you for writing.
(Texas)
Good morning, Angie,
Thank you for your good words this morning. We can learn so much from nature all around us I think, and it is great how you applied it to our faith life as well. The right voice, that is the Lord does speak to our hearts, if only people would listen.
Blessings.
Good morning, Angie,
Nice to hear about the song of the wood warblers and why they sing.
It so, so true that we need to discern Jesus’ voice from all the other ones out there in our world. Great analogy and a great prayer to start the day.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and wisdom. May you hear lots of warblers and listen to Jesus. Blessings.
Thank you, Angie, for your incredible story, and fits well into our day today.
Through a couple in our church, we got involved in Guide Dogs for the Blind, an incredible organization!!! We have had 8 dogs and got a new one TODAY and look forward to noisy night. I am Gramma to the dogs but don’t get involved in their training but have to know the rules. One of the first things is to teach them not to bark, and it’s amazing how fast they learn. We take these dogs everywhere possible which is interesting, but not to doctor’s office. No two dogs are alike which is interesting.
God bless you.
(Cal.)