birds

My final piece about the kingdom and what it will look like is an ornithological one – that’s birds to you and me! Now I like birds, I like to look at them and to hear them. I like to know the names of the birds I see and I like having them in my garden. Every other week I put out the peanuts and fat balls so the tits can gather. I have finches, robins – all sorts, even the odd woodpecker from time to time. Whilst on holiday one year, Annie and I even went on a bird watching guided walk. It was pretty good but I have to admit I do find the green covered, camera carrying and binocular wielding ‘twitchers’ rather off putting. They all hump their gear around the countryside speaking in some strange code and if you should deign to ask them what bird it is that they might just be looking at if they can possibly see anything at all, can treat you with a contempt that makes you feel that you have just been washed in by a unseasonably high tide!

 Again it is a picture of something small and unseen. The mustard seed is very tiny but when nurtured in the right environment it grows and becomes visible. Then the birds come. You can see them – they come to you! Now I am a church leader. I love the church. I realise from scripture that the church is not the kingdom but it can certainly be the place through which the kingdom comes. I am looking continually for kingdom activity. When Jesus was around, the crowds came to him and followed. As His kingdom comes on earth let the people come drawn by its wonder and splendour, may the church grow, and may Jesus be present in love and power.