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I’m a simple girl. One of my most favorite places in the world is my back porch. It’s my go-to place to relax and read as well as get a little vitamin D! During the Pandemic it became my prayer closet as we had a house full of students and my spouse working from home! My special little corner of paradise, that even in spite of all of the rain we have been having lately, I make it a point to make use of it at least 2-3 times per week.
One recent morning I’m having coffee and have my tablet open and worship music on, then all of a sudden the birds begin going crazy and they get Extremely loud! I turned my worship music louder thinking they would eventually settle down , but 20 minutes later it was still crazy noisy in Paradise! I got up and noticed in our backyard tree a Peregrine Falcon (I took a pic and looked it up). The falcon just staring in the same direction while blue jays and crows were clearly distressed he was on their turf! I was amazed at the focus of this bird not moving at all while the noise and chaos was surrounding him !
I tend to try to look at moments in life and see the spiritual aspect in things . On the surface it would seem that some might look at this moment as the blue jays could represent our walk with our friends, strength in numbers and battling the enemy together keeps him at bay. Another perspective would be what I received that day . Being focused in Spite of the noise and chaos going on around you! Keeping your “eye on the prize” in spite of distractions ..
A little National Geographic info. for you. The Peregrine Falcon is known for…
Strength And Speed
Peregrines are not only the fastest bird, but the fastest animals on the planet reaching speeds of well over 200 mph when diving for prey. Some sources claim up to 240 mph..
Ambition
In the wild, these birds build their nests on the highest branches of trees or on the edge of cliffs. Even in the urban settlements, they preferably nest on the skyscrapers.If their nesting habit is any indication, the falcons cannot settle for anything less than the best.
Vision
The eyesight of a falcon is eight times better than that of a human being.
They are always prepared to face what’s coming. You can never take them by surprise.
Freedom
With all that strength and speed, falcons are undoubtedly free creatures.
I really appreciated my lesson from the falcon that day. I pray that I can be free in Christ and focus better. I don’t want to settle for anything less than what Jesus wants for me. Ironically, the Falcon started as a distraction , but I was led to a different place in the bible, thanks to all the racket!!
We are constantly tempted to pull away from a consistent focus on Christ. As a result, we often find ourselves being tossed to and fro by the concerns of life. Keeping focus on Christ means that we’re purposefully fading out everything that pulls us away from connecting with Him.
It is when we discipline our mind to focus on Jesus and what He has done in order that we may have eternal life—we are changed. Pay attention to when your thoughts wander and ask the Lord to help you discipline your mind. “Set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming” (1 Peter 1:13).