The birds around our house have been incredibly active this spring. It’s not uncommon for us to have several nests in the few trees spread about our yard and one on the elbow of one of our gutter downspouts. Normally, we welcome our fine feathered friends to post up with us here at Casa de Myers. This year, however, I’ve been doing battle with two robins concerning the location of their nest.
They have chosen a less than ideal location for their nest. They continue to build their nest on the downspout right over the picnic table and next to our pool. Consequently, as they are building their nest, mud, straw, string, and random pieces of trash continue to find their way onto our table or into our pool. It’s a problem; They aren’t welcome in that space. Every morning and evening for the past three weeks, I have found the start of a new nest in that spot. Each time I find a new nest, I grab a pole and knock it to the ground; and each time, they build it back again. Over the last three weeks, these birds have built two halves of a nest every day, which I have destroyed.
One would think that at some point, these birds would sense that their efforts are unappreciated and would move on to a more welcoming environment. Not these birds.
While I greatly respect the persistence of these birds, I can’t help but wonder why they have yet to get the message. I understand the allure of the location. It’s a second story home with a poolside view; It’s prime real estate. But, at every turn their work has been rejected and unfruitful. One would think that at some point, these birds would sense that their efforts are unappreciated and would move on to a more welcoming environment. Not these birds. Just now, I checked the spot for the second time in two hours and had to remove a second start of a nest. They just keep grinding.
My experience with these relentless birds has caused me to think about how we, followers of Jesus, approach others with the truth of the gospel. At what point should we realize that we are fighting a losing battle and move on to more hospitable and receptive folk? On the other hand, when should we just keep grinding, trusting that God will do what only He can do through our persistent and humble efforts?
We should be careful not to be dismissive of any person and should earnestly desire to see all come to saving faith, but perhaps there are instances when we need to let go and let God.
In Matthew 10, Jesus sends His disciples out in pairs to share the good news of the coming of God’s Kingdom. Part of his instructions revolve around those who are inhospitable and unreceptive to the gospel. In verse 14, we read these words from Jesus, “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home and shake the dust off your feet.” There is wisdom in recognizing when our efforts are perpetually unfruitful and taking our efforts elsewhere. We should be careful not to be dismissive of any person and should earnestly desire to see all come to saving faith, but perhaps there are instances when we need to let go and let God.
On the other hand, I’m reminded of the stories of the lost things in Luke 15. Jesus speaks of searching for a lost sheep, a lost coin, and a lost son. In each story, the person searching for that which is lost refuses to give up. The shepherd pursues the lost sheep into the dangers of the wilderness until he finds it and brings it home. The woman turns her house upside down until she finds her lost coin and returns it to its place. And, the loving father waits at the door, persistently watching for the return of his lost son, running to embrace him upon his return. Each of the three persistently persevered until what was lost was brought safely home. They kept grinding even when the odds were against them. And, we should do the same. We should keep sharing the gospel in the hope that eventually the message will be heard and accepted. The outcome is too important for us to give up.
We should keep sharing the gospel in the hope that eventually the message will be heard and accepted. The outcome is too important for us to give up.
I wish these poor birds would get the message and would shake the dust off their feet and move on to a more hospitable place; the other side of my house would do just fine. But, I also respect their persistence and perseverance. When it comes to sharing Jesus with the world, I want to be like these birds. Ultimately, God alone knows who will accept His saving grace. Perhaps there are times when we should shake it off and move on, but more often than not, we should keep grinding until God does what He alone can do.
