Birds in the Church Building

Yesterday there was a bird flying around in the church building. It was just a common ordinary sparrow, but it reminds me of many other birds that I’ve seen in our building. Most of them come flying through during worship. Here are a few I’ve seen lately.

Punctual Late Landers

Capistrano has nothing on this type swallow that always or invariably lands in the services about 8-10 minutes late. It is uncanny how they can do it consistently and not be a second off! Mother Nature has perhaps provided them with a timing system that defies man’s description. It is too bad that it cannot be set up about 15 minutes so they could arrive on time. But alas! Nothing can be done; it seems, to hurry them up.

Scarlet Throated Blabber Beaks

A bird found in almost any church building during services. He roosts any place and is unconcerned about the rights and desires of others. His head swings to the right or left but seldom toward the front. His throat has the identifiable scarlet color from much chatter, and you will notice the smallness of his ears for he seldom listens.

Flocking Scribble Scratchers

When the sermon is of a serious nature, these strange fowls begin to scribble and scratch with pencil and pad writing notes hurriedly to each other in order to distract those nearest. They seldom speak though’ they are animated and make funny faces. They are known by the groups in which they congregate. It can be told where they have nested after services are completed because the janitor has to remove the trash from the general area. Color them purple with rage.

Roaming-Eyed Rifflers

This strange visitor to places of worship is not content with that which is transpiring but compulsively allows his eyes to roam about. Some varieties count bricks on the wall, cracks in the plaster, and panes in the windows or holes in the ceiling tile. Another variety (for which the group finds its distinctive name) is the riffler of song books. This type also has a deep interest in some dusty book of the Old Testament. A strange breed the Roaming-Eyed Riffler.

Chirping Beep Tweeters

This is a relatively new variety of fowl. They are almost unrecognizable but for the faint sounds that come from where they nest. The interesting thing is that most have distinctively different sounds: Some beep, some chirp, some buzz while others are completely silent. They are distinctive however in that though they sit perfectly still while their eyes are constantly moving up and down, but rarely forward with the tips of their wings moving at a rapid pace. Occasionally one will turn and interact with a Scarlet Throated Blabber Beak.

When you enter into worship with God, where are you really? Are you there communing with Him or are you flying around here and there like so many of these birds?

Psalm 29:2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.

Oh! By the way there is one other bird in worship with which I have no qualms.

Isaiah 40:31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;

If you must be a bird in worship, be an Eagle!