My song rang out loud and clear as I walked along the dirt road rambling across the mountain ridge. Sunlight warmed my shoulders. Praise warmed my heart.
Meeting an Unlikely Comrade
As I sang, I noticed the song of a bluebird, an unlikely comrade on my walk, perched on a limb of the oak butted up against the road. I stopped to admire him.
When I stopped singing, he stopped singing. When I sang a note, he sang a note.
With my eye on the bluebird, I began walking again. The tiny ball of royal blue flew to the next tree beside the road, singing his heart out … as long as I sang.
It was a perfect duet of praise.
When I walked, he flew to the next branch and waited. When I sang, he sang. We moved down the road in unison, this fine comrade and me. Although very different from one another, the praise in our hearts united us — the joy of song, the love of our Creator …
… the appreciation of what each of us brought to the mountain landscape.
If only life could be that simple — this disparity of races and the resulting injustices and misunderstandings and raging hatred born of deep, deep wounds.
If only.
Why Did the Bluebird Speak to Me?
The bluebird always reminds me of the dwelling place of Almighty God. The bluebird’s color is the same as the thread God commanded the children of Israel to use for the fabrics of the Tabernacle in the wilderness, along with scarlet and purple. Why blue? To remind the people of celestial skies, to look up to the heavenly places where dwelt the One True God.
The One True God, Maker of heaven and earth who does all things well.
The God who loves us with an everlasting love, whose heart must break over the work of the enemy that divides, deceives, and discourages His people.
And, ultimately, the bluebird reminds me of Jesus, who Himself is our peace.
He is the embodiment of our peace, sent once and for all to take down the great barrier of hatred and hostility that has divided us so that we can be one. He offered His body on the sacrificial altar to bring an end to the law’s ordinances and dictations that separated Jews and Gentiles [blacks and whites]. His desire was to create in His body one new humanity from the two opposing groups, thus creating peace. Effectively the cross becomes God’s means to kill off the hostility once and for all so that He is able to reconcile them both to God in this one new body. ~ Ephesians 2:14-16, TPT
… Effectively the cross becomes God’s means to kill off the hostility once and for all so that He is able to reconcile them both to God in this one new body …
The Cross. Redemption’s story.
Jesus.
He Himself is our peace — He who leads us to the throne of grace to receive mercy, wisdom, healing, and understanding with one another.
To remind us that we are all children of God and loved by a good, good Father.
We are all equal at the foot of the Cross.
His love joins our hearts.
His peace takes down the great barrier of hatred and hostility that has divided us so that we can be one.
A Comrade — Different, Yet Joined
The bluebird and I continued on our way, different yet joined — comrades — because of the gift of praise and the knowledge of the One we love. If only people of all colors could learn to do the same. Praise lifts us into the presence of the Almighty, changing our focus to see Him, to hear His gentle whispers.
And praise joins our hearts as one, breaking the barriers that wound and deceive.
Selah
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Thank you so much for stopping by. I would love for you to share what’s on your heart in the comments below. Scroll a little farther down and you’ll see where you can leave your comments. Together, we can find the nearness of God in our darkest moments.
Sweet blessings to you,
