When I started birding this year, I experienced the unexpected. I began to look at the world around me differently. I hope that I’ve been able to see, even if only for a moment, what the world looks like through God’s eyes. As I’ve reflected on these nine months of birding, here’s what I’ve realized.
Through birding, I’ve discovered God’s creative genius in the way He designed our world.
Through birding, I’ve discovered God’s artistic capacity with colors and patterns and variety.
Through birding, I’ve learned the ability to sit in silence, listen to the birdsong, and just appreciate being in God’s world.
Through birding, I’ve become more patient, even though I’m a high type-A personality, as I wait for birds to show up on their time-schedule.
Through birding, I have spent more time in the presence of the Lord than ever before.
And, through the scripture, I’ve discovered God’s imminent love and compassion for what He creates . . . even the birds.
Becoming a birder may be the greatest gift I’ve received this year. I heard a new worship song by Brandon Heath recently. His words resonate with me:
“Give me your eyes for just one second,
give me your eyes so I can see,
Everything that I keep missing,
give me your love for humanity.
Give me your arms for the broken-hearted,
the ones that are far beyond my reach.
Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten.
Give me Your eyes so I can see.”
So, as we move toward celebrating the birth of God’s Son this week, I pray for God to truly let me see through His world His eyes. I pray that God will gift me with the ability to love as He loves. I pray that I never forget that God’s gift of His Son at Christmas was because of His love for me.
That’s what I want for Christmas . . .
