BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE

Black-Capped Chickadee photo by Stephen Walker on Unsplash.

The Black-capped chickadee is one special little bird!  It is one of those birds that doesn’t migrate, but rather ‘blooms where it is planted’ singing its cheerful songs 365 days a year regardless of its circumstances or the weather.  God gave it everything it needed to be able to sing its song even in climates where the temperature plummets to below zero.  It can survive because it has the ability to lower its body temperature by as much as 21.6 degrees Fahrenheit.                                            

And, like a squirrel, it stockpiles food in secret spots hidden in the bark of trees, in a knothole or among leaves or pine needles on the ground and unlike me, it remembers where it puts things!  It also excavates a fancy home cavity in dead wood which protects it from the wind.  Smart bird.

God also gave us everything we need to sing our song every day.

Look at the Story of Paul and Silas who were unjustly accused, beaten and thrown in prison.   Acts 16:16-34.

Even in prison with their feet in stocks, they began praying and just like the Black-capped chickadee, they were heard singing hymns to God!

How could they?  Because God had already given them everything they needed to ‘sing’ and give praise under any circumstances they found themselves in! 

They knew that they could, ‘Do all things through Christ who strengthens them.’  Philippians 4:13.

They knew that ‘God inhabits the praises of His people.’ Psalm 22:3 NKJV.

As Paul said himself in the book of 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ‘Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.’ 

So, what happened?  BOOM!  God ‘inhabited their praise’ and showed up! ‘Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.  The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped.  But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”  The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.  He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” They spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house.  At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized.  The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.’ 

Wow.  So not only were Paul and Silas blessed, but so was their guard and his entire family!!

And that is how it can be with you!  No matter what your circumstances, God has made available to you all you need to face anything!  And if you ‘sing your song’ in the face of adversity, you and those around you will be blessed!

Ziggler’s Song Bird   (Heard at Ziggler’s art store in Tulsa)

The song meandered 

Through the merchandise

Laid wait for me

Like the breeze on a 

Hot day it sent

Me briefly to

Another place.    MRB