We are visited by lots of wild birds and they come in various colours, shapes
and sizes.
There are several varieties of parrot and they are a palette of gorgeous colour.
By contrast, on the black and white side, are gregarious magpies, playful black
and white wagtails and similar but elegant scissors-grinders.
On the petite side of the scale are little fairy wrens, tiny thornbills and
goldfinches as well as a variety of honey-eaters who simply enjoy the company of
other birds while they sip nectar from flowers close by.
We buy bags of mixed wild-bird seed that cover the full spectrum of all the
seed-eaters and we load their feeding tables morning and evening with every type
of seed available. Our visitors pick over the meal to find the nourishment they
need and take what they can digest. Some eat a variety of seed, others need less
choice, but they are all fed at the same table.
However diverse, however difficult, however quarrelsome and however passionate
the birds are, it is amazing how the seed draws them together.
Often they are closely watched and observed by a dreadfully sombre black crow
sitting in a tree nearby.
Crows refuse to come to the banquet even though we wish they could join in like
the nectar-eaters do, in harmony and friendliness of spirit. If only they could
become new creatures! But crows never eat seed, they just sit there to taunt and
threaten every other bird just for the pleasure of controlling by fear.
But the offer is always open and is not this the way of the gospel seed? The
offer is always on the table and the words of Paul give encouragement to us.
'Therefore, [he said] as opportunity offers, let us work for the good of all,
especially members of the household of the faith.' Galatians 6:10. And, as he
said in verse 15, 'the only thing that counts is new creation!'
It is amazing how the gospel seed draws us together. So come - come in harmony
and friendliness of spirit because the gospel seed is the food that makes each
of us a new creation.
Elizabeth Price reprice@dragnet.com.au
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