Hummingbird School

I apologize up front for the length of this post and for its simplicity, but I am a simple man.  Hopefully, you’ll enjoy it and maybe get a little something out of it.

A few years ago I bought my Wife two hummingbird feeders for what I believe was our 28th anniversary. I didn’t want the hardware store variety plastic ones, so I searched the web for the prettiest, fanciest feeders I could find for her. I think I succeeded, I bought two that are made of red glass with ornate bronze colored vines and leaves wrapping around the exterior. I thought they’d look beautiful hanging on our front porch. She seemed to like them too, but she is my angel and would try to act happy if I gave her an old sock full of marbles. Since our Anniversary is in February we left them boxed away in anticipation of spring. That was a busy year with a lot of significant changes going on, a lot of sadness and heartache that year too, so we were a little distracted and were late getting them hung up. We had never had hummingbird feeders before, so it was a learning experience for sure.

Hummingbirds are fascinating little creatures to say the very least. According to various web searches hummingbirds weigh less than a dime, can only scoot sideways but cannot walk or hop, they are the only bird that can fly backward, sideways, and up or down like a helicopter. During migration, some will fly across the Gulf of Mexico, a distance of approximately 2000 miles nonstop. I could go on and on with noteworthy facts, but you can find those as quickly as I did if interested.

One of the few happy changes that year was that we moved to our new property and got busy setting up our new home place. We hadn’t noticed hummingbirds or any birds for that matter as busy as we had been. Once we settled in, we started prettying the place up, and My Bride remembered the hummingbird feeders in our closet.

We hung them on either side of the porch and honestly, I doubted we’d ever see a single hummingbird. I was working from home at the time and enjoyed having my morning conference calls out on the front porch. Soon after putting the feeder out, like the second or third day I noticed a lone hummingbird buzzing around. Then I saw another, and another and over the next week or so you could see twenty or more at a time. I was amazed and curious, and I became somewhat obsessed with these tiny creatures.

I watched those birds every morning for days. I tried to get up close and personal with them, observed their mannerisms, habits, differences, their interactions with the other birds and with me. Fascinating! God began to deal with me, and showing me things about these birds that could help me be a better child of God. I Corinthians 11:14 came to mind. In the King James Version it says “Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?” I know the point in this scripture is about men’s hair length, but what jumps out at me everytime I read this scripture is that nature can teach! I love nature, what better classroom than all of the outdoors.

The First thing I learned had as much to do with the Feeders as it did the birds.  Those feeders were there for months, in the box and empty, but not a single hummingbird noticed. Hummingbirds were not scratching on the window trying to get into our room to gain access to those feeders. But as soon as we put the feeders out and filled them with nectar the birds came from everywhere, word spread, and a frenzy broke out. It was hummingbird pandemonium! Empty feeders do not attract anything, besides spider webs.  Likewise, spiritually empty churches do not draw much attention either. If we want to attract the lost we have to have something they can’t get elsewhere. It has to be alive; I’m not talking about entertainment – the world has that, not just good music either – they have that too. Jesus told Peter basically if you Love Me, feed my lambs. Feed their souls! This one is on us; it takes prayer, fasting, and a willingness to trust in God and realizing that you are not going to reach everyone, but everyone deserves to be reached for. Full Feeders draw Hummingbirds! Spirit-filled Churches draw sinners!

The Second thing I learned from the Hummingbirds was when I decided to get as close as I could to the feeders and watch them feed. That didn’t seem to bother them much as long as I remained still. It was summer time now, so it was pretty hot, but when 10 or 15 hummingbirds were swarming around a feeder, I could feel a noticeable difference in the temperature, like a cooling fan. As a church body working together, in faith, we can change the climate of our services, of our lives really.  Bind together, don’t be satisfied with dull, don’t wait to be prodded, don’t wait for someone else, create an atmosphere of praise and worship, which in turn becomes a dwelling place for your King, as He inhabits the praises of his People. You have as much to gain as anyone by being the catalyst of worship and praise. Revival (not the series of services kind, but real revival) can start with a tiny spark and by coming together in one mind, and one accord that spark can become a great flame. Change Your Climate!

The Third thing I learned is that they are all different but have the same goal. I started paying attention to the details of their feathers, colors, movements, and actions. They weigh less than a penny and are no longer than a thumb, but they are as individual as we are. Different personalities, different looks. One was inquisitive enough that it flew over and hovered right in front of my eye. Maybe his reflection in my eyes caught his attention or the blue on my eyes looked like it might be food. For a second or two I was a little worried for my eye.

Along with their differences, they all have a common desire, a need to be fed, a hunger. Like with the variations of individual hummingbirds there are no cookie-cutter people either. God went to the trouble of making us individuals, of giving each of us unique fingerprints, personalities, likes, and dislikes. Do you think he expects us all to be exactly the same, I don’t. God didn’t make such a variety of people only to squeeze us all into one mold. everyone is not going to be just like you, basically, no one is.

There is One Gospel, One Message and many, many kinds of people. Regardless of what we look like, as Christians, we are Gods Children, Brothers, and Sisters of One Father! The Hungrier you are for God the less you’ll notice the differences or shortcomings of others! Stay Hungry! That’s a message by itself.

The Fourth thing I learned that they were preparing for a journey, a journey that could only be made with forethought and planning. Migration south was just around the corner and preparation is the only way to make it. Those little birds knew that Fee Hill was not home, that they had somewhere to be and that their survival depended on it. As Christians we have to remember that “this world is not our home, we’re just a pass’n through.” We must be instant in season and out. Like the Virgins waiting for the Bridegroom, keeping our lamps oiled and trimmed in anticipation of the trip. If we are not careful, we can get complacent, comfortable or too attached to our lives and possessions here. We can also forget our purpose. Our survival depends on being ready to make that journey when the time comes. Be Ready to Go!

Finally. I learned that over time Hummingbirds have a tendency to turn on one another. One bird would sit and guard the feeders, not even trying to eat, just driving away the other birds out of what looks like pure meanness. I don’t know what motivates a Hummingbird to act this way. But I do know many things can drive people to meanness. Lack of Prayer, lack of sleep, hunger, stress or life’s pressures can all affect our attitude and if not addressed can cause us to lash out. The road to recovery starts with prayer! Learn to be Kind, ask God to help you. You can never go wrong with Kindness. You never really know what another person is feeling or what they are going through. An unkind or harsh word has the potential to drive away a fragile soul. Kindness is not always a natural attribute but one that is a worthy pursuit. Sarcasm comes more natural to me than Kindness, but with God’s help, we are working on me. I once heard it said if meet a Jerk one time today that’s a coincidence, but if you meet them everywhere you go, then You are likely the Jerk. Ouch! And God Help Me! Prefer your Brother or Sister and Be Kind one to another!

Hummingbirds:

Are not attracted to empty feeders – keep the Feeders Full

Can change the climate – keep the atmosphere stirred!

Are all different but share the same goal – Stay Hungry

Are preparing for a journey – This world is not My Home

Can be mean to each other – Be Kind one to another

God Bless You Richly

Greg