Bluebirds and People
Dan Kunz
A number of years ago, a friend of mine got me into the hobby of monitoring bluebird nests. Back in the 1960’s, bluebirds (along with bald eagles and quite a few other bird species) were in danger because of the insecticide DDT. Although it was a boon to farmers and others because it drastically cut down on insect pests, it also got into the bloodstream of birds and caused them to lay eggs that were exceptionally fragile or not viable – no reproduction endangers the whole species. After DDT was banned, people began to monitor bird populations and thus the birth of the Bluebird Restoration Association of Wisconsin. It’s a fun hobby and is very easy to do. Our property has eight bluebird houses and they are constructed in such a way that the side of the house can be opened to access the nest and its contents. Once per week I open the houses to check for eggs or hatchlings. (Bluebirds are very tolerant and don’t really mind an occasional intrusion into their space.)
We’ve probably all seen hatchlings or chicks with their eyes closed and mouths wide open, waiting for mom or dad to drop food down their gullet. This is the interesting thing about bluebirds. When I open their house, whether they’re recently hatched or ready to leave home, they simply sit quietly with their mouths closed and their beady eyes staring at me. When mom arrives, however, their necks stretch out and their mouths come wide open. They know the difference and I assume it’s a self-protection reaction.
It reminds me of the reaction of people when new information comes their way. Some people are ready to “swallow” anything that comes their way, while others are much more cautious about what’s being “fed them”. As Christians we need to be cautious about what information or ideas we “ingest” and what we reject, especially when it comes to Jesus Christ and our eternal salvation. I John 4:1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. A number of examples reveal the dangers of too readily accepting what is being offered.
Our current society pays a great deal of homage to “the truth”. The problem is that “truth” is a relative term in most people’s eyes. They talk about “my” truth and “your” truth. We know, of course, God doesn’t operate that way. John 17:17 Sanctify them by the truth. Your word is truth. The Devil is a liar and the father of it. God is just the opposite. We need to test statements, information, and opinions to see if they line up with God’s truth. Then and only then, can we accept what our society is selling.
One of our daughters’ teachers would purposely tell his class things which weren’t true. He did this to see if they were paying attention and to train them to be wise consumers. (Thank you, Mr. Gustafson!) Just as his class learned those valuable lessons, we, too, should pay attention and be wise consumers. We know not all religious leaders, tele-evangelists, and preachers are providing us with the “pure milk of the Gospel”. Questioning someone for clarification is not a bad thing. It’s how we can learn.
The most fledglings we’ve ever had in one summer was fifty-four. Perhaps this summer will provide more. Seeing those beautiful blue little bundles of feathers flitting around our property is a joy and it’s all because they ate the right food provided by a reliable source. May the same be said for us!