Within the branches of our neighbor’s bottle brush tree, hummingbird twitters announced the arrival of my feathered friends. I had been oblivious to their return, an occurrence I didn’t want to miss. Squeaky, territorial, and somewhat temperamental, they warm my heart. Their shimmering little wings that pound the air with numerous beats per millisecond give me a thrill, and those needle-like beaks piercing the feeder-blossom pinhole amaze me. I love hearing their hum as they propel themselves like missiles past my patio swing, and my pulse races when they hover, mere feet away and gaze at me, their beady eyes intense as they pause, as motionless as their vibrating permits.
This personal delight is possible because tiny, somewhat unsightly containers of sugar water lure the birds into my yard. So I hang my feeders, and the birds come. They indulge, again and again drinking deeply of the sweet offering I have made available to them.
It reminds me of how the scripture invites, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good.” The implication is that the invitation is to someone who has never tasted, much like we’d suggest, “Oh, you have to try this cake! It’s delicious!” to someone without a piece of cake, not so someone eating a slice. Spiritual eaters are Christians; they’ve tasted. Those to whom the call is extended is the world. But how are they going to taste what has not made available to them? Someone has to put Jesus on display, like cake on a plate…or hummingbird feeders in the yard.
In matters of both birds and people, to get them to leave their comfort zones, we have to get out of ours.
The cake can’t stay on a serving tray, and bird feed can’t stay in the cabinet. They have to be brought outside—to a saucer, to the yard. The glory of the container is irrelevant. Chipped, dented, metal or plastic, they may vary from lovely to homely, but what they hold is sweet…and oh, so appetizing to the taster.
Like assorted cake flavors and sundry nectar concoctions, the essence of our spiritual offering is the same: sweet, good, appetizing. As Christians, our methods of sharing Christ may be different, and our personal, spiritual development in diverse stages of growth, but we all have what this hungry world needs—the satisfying Spirit of God.
If we display Jesus, people will leave their comfort zone to investigate His presence. They may come to Him clamoring, fussing, and fighting. They may have to circle a few times or even make a disclaimer or two, like an extended palm or a shake of the head. But when they indulge, Jesus will not disappoint. They’ll find that, indeed, God “hits the spot.” Gladly, He won’t limit their savoring; He will encourage them to partake deeply over and over again.
And to the one who shares Jesus with them? Oh, what joy these converts add. New life. Fresh enthusiasm. Inspiration. Rewarding connections and the repeated delight their company brings.
Tip/Tidbit: Do you struggle with feeling like you are inadequate for “going into the world and preaching”? Remember YOU are not the nectar. Jesus is. Be yourself. Step out of your comfort zone to meet others near theirs. You don’t have to present the Gospel with perfection and polish. Just give others access to Jesus through you.
This personal delight is possible because tiny, somewhat unsightly containers of sugar water lure the birds into my yard. So I hang my feeders, and the birds come. They indulge, again and again drinking deeply of the sweet offering I have made available to them.
It reminds me of how the scripture invites, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good.” The implication is that the invitation is to someone who has never tasted, much like we’d suggest, “Oh, you have to try this cake! It’s delicious!” to someone without a piece of cake, not so someone eating a slice. Spiritual eaters are Christians; they’ve tasted. Those to whom the call is extended is the world. But how are they going to taste what has not made available to them? Someone has to put Jesus on display, like cake on a plate…or hummingbird feeders in the yard.
In matters of both birds and people, to get them to leave their comfort zones, we have to get out of ours.
The cake can’t stay on a serving tray, and bird feed can’t stay in the cabinet. They have to be brought outside—to a saucer, to the yard. The glory of the container is irrelevant. Chipped, dented, metal or plastic, they may vary from lovely to homely, but what they hold is sweet…and oh, so appetizing to the taster.
Like assorted cake flavors and sundry nectar concoctions, the essence of our spiritual offering is the same: sweet, good, appetizing. As Christians, our methods of sharing Christ may be different, and our personal, spiritual development in diverse stages of growth, but we all have what this hungry world needs—the satisfying Spirit of God.
If we display Jesus, people will leave their comfort zone to investigate His presence. They may come to Him clamoring, fussing, and fighting. They may have to circle a few times or even make a disclaimer or two, like an extended palm or a shake of the head. But when they indulge, Jesus will not disappoint. They’ll find that, indeed, God “hits the spot.” Gladly, He won’t limit their savoring; He will encourage them to partake deeply over and over again.
And to the one who shares Jesus with them? Oh, what joy these converts add. New life. Fresh enthusiasm. Inspiration. Rewarding connections and the repeated delight their company brings.
Tip/Tidbit: Do you struggle with feeling like you are inadequate for “going into the world and preaching”? Remember YOU are not the nectar. Jesus is. Be yourself. Step out of your comfort zone to meet others near theirs. You don’t have to present the Gospel with perfection and polish. Just give others access to Jesus through you.
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