Lessons from a Songbird

Did you know there's a difference in a bird's call and its song? I didn't. While waiting my turn in the doctor's office, I was reading an article in a magazine when the Lord began dropping thoughts into my heart and tears flowed from my eyes. (Yes, in the middle of the doctor's office! How convenient!) The article was about birds and their songs. Simple enough, huh?

You see, according to scientists, a songbird's call is instinctive...it is born with the ability to call. In fact, most of the noises a person hears coming from a bird is merely a call. These sounds are short and quick. Songs, on the other hand, are more complex and melodious and in most cases a bird's song must be learned. (I can't tell you how excited I was when I read that!) OK, those are the facts...now on to the good stuff.

How many times do we find people in the Bible calling upon God? Psalm 120:1, "In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me." Often times, right? David knew, just as we do, to call upon the Lord. Just like a bird, our call is an inborn trait. We are designed, by God himself, with an innate desire and ability to call upon the Him. It comes naturally; especially when a person is born again.

Just as David knew to call out to God; I'm sure he must have known there was a difference in a call and a song. Impact! Passion! Experience! David, known as a shepherd first, was also a musician before he became king. Psalm 77:6 reads, "I call to remembrance my song in the night...", yes, David learned that it wasn't enough to call upon God. He would find himself in desperate times which called for desperate measures; times where he'd have to learn to sing unto the Lord. It would be a necessity!

You see, another interesting fact about the song of a bird: a song is normally saved for a certain season while a call is used any old time. There are seasons in the life of every Christian. And friend, it's going to take more than a short, quick call for the victory to come at times. It's in those desperate times, those dark, nighttime hours, that we learn to sing complex and melodious songs. Think about songs and hymns we sing in church - the words behind the songs - most of them were born out of a dark season. That's why they carry such weight and we sing them with such passion and conviction. They were born out of desperation! Lessons learned. Songs.

Aren't you thankful that God gives us seasons? That He gave us a voice? To sing? Sure, He gave us the ability to call upon Him any time, and that's a blessing, but He patiently teaches us as we learn to sing a new song - for His glory. Psalm 40:3, "And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God; many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord." Be encouraged and SING A NEW SONG unto the Lord for all to hear!