Whoever first used the phrase “Bird Brain” way back in 1933, must not have known a whole lot about our feathery friends, several, at least,of whom have impressive intelligence. No doubt you have heard the story of this adorable little Magellanic Penguin who swims 5000 miles from the coast of Argentina over to Brazil to see his savior, 71 year old Joao Pereira de Souza from Rio. The retired bricklayer found an oily, starving Dindim, as he named him, and took him home to shower him off and feed him fish for a week before returning him to his ocean home. Apparently the cold-water bird refused to leave for 11 months. Even now when he leaves, he comes back yearly to see the man who rescued him. Sounds pretty smart to me. And dedicated. And loyal.
Such an inspirational story. I was actually reading Isaiah 6 at the time my daughter chose to come in and share Dindim’s tale with me. She’s an animal lover and she was just so clearly moved by this little penguin who would be so dedicated to his rescuer. Isaiah was a prophet who could clearly commiserate with our little penguin friend. He volunteered for the job of going to God’s chosen people and foretelling their doom in the hopes that they would repent and come back to their Savior. For years. Even though God told him upfront that the people wouldn’t listen, Isaiah was still obedient. He felt the power of God’s word in that vision and the provision of His grace and mercy as his lips touched the live coal taking away his iniquity…purging his sin. And he was grateful. Ready to act on love for the One that gave His all for him. Devotion. Dedication. Compassion. Isaiah reminded me of Dindim. Strike that. Reverse. After all, the Prophet Isaiah should garner a little more respect that an amazingly sweet waterfowl.
It stirred in me a desire to be so faithful, as was Isaiah, as is Dimdin. I know there have been many times when I feel the futility of sharing the gospel in our entertainment-drenched society where the primary goal of many is to have fun, to be happy. How often do I not open my mouth because I fear rejection or ridicule from the world? Am I showing compassion for their souls? They don’t seem very interested in eternity. Although our pastor shared that he found an obscure fact divulging that people google “Who is God?” almost as often as “How do I kill myself?” So they are searching. Many are searching. Not at parties or amongst themselves but when they can’t sleep at 2 AM or the roof falls in and nothing seems to make sense anymore… they are searching. Will I be there to shine the light on the King of Kings? Would I swim 5,000 miles to spend time with Jesus? Sometimes I think I’m doing good just to not complain about a 30 minute drive to town. Or to read my bible for ten minutes or remember to pray for that friend having a root canal.
I have a Savior who is even better than a kind and caring elderly man in Rio–and yet do I show him even a fraction of the devotion that Dindim demonstrates? Do I have gratitude for what He has done and does for me on a daily basis? We have so much to be grateful for and like our children, we often don’t notice the kindness and attention of a doting parent who orchestrates and navigates life for us. They are just supposed to be there, right? That’s their job! Yes, it is their job. But I speak from experience when I say it is easier to be close to the child who is ever so grateful. Not playing favorites or loving one more than another… just fostering closeness and a “kindred spirit”. This child says, “I notice what you do for me and I appreciate it.” I want to be that kind of child for God. But I feel that I’m often stumbling over myself. Over my sin. And yet there is hope.
Tomorrow is always a fresh start, hour by hour, minute by minute. Choosing to see what we have and not what we don’t have. Making sacrifices for others because we are not the only ones who count. Seeing it from someone else’s point of view. Walking a mile in their shoes. Being Content. Just being in His presence. Keeping my eyes on Him (Isaiah 26:3) amidst the ever-swirling chaos of this present world.
Apparently, the thing I might need most is not the new wardrobe I long for or the new hiking shoes I can’t seem to live without. Or even more obedient, scholarly children.
I need a brain that prioritizes Him in all things. That makes Him the ultimate focus of my life.
If being a bird brain makes me even a little more like Dindim in my dedication to my Savior, then sign. me. up.
7 Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:8 Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word:9 Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:10 Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:11 Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:12 Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:13 Let them praise the name of the Lord: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven. (Psalm 148)
Decidedly Different 