The Useless Wings That Can Be Redeemed
THE BUZZARD: If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6 feet by 8 feet and is entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of 10 to 12 feet. Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.
THE BAT: The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkable nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.
THE BUMBLEBEE: A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.
PEOPLE: In many ways, we are like the buzzard, the bat, and the bumblebee. We struggle about with all our problems and frustrations, never realizing that all we have to do is look up! That's the answer . . . the escape route and the solution to any problem . . . just look up! If we stay in the tomb, we will never resurrect! Sorrow looks back. Worry looks around, but faith looks up! Let us take this Holy Week to place all our struggles and deepest troubles in the hands of our Lord. We all have things in our lives that cause us great pain, and imprison us in our jars. Knowing how Jesus suffered at the time of His Crucifixion, and knowing how Mary and the disciples were so distraught at the foot of the Cross, let us place our own pain at the foot of the Cross too, and be confident in the knowledge that for every Good Friday we experience in our lives an Easter Sunday always follows! It is our way of looking up, realizing we are gifted with wings during Christ’s resurrection! Let’s discover the power of those wings, and soar high with our faith.