Vultures and Hummingbirds

There are two birds that live in the deserts of North America. They both live in the same harsh environment, but their reactions are very different. One bird is the vulture, and the other is the hummingbird. The vulture devours the decomposing meat that he finds on the desert floor, and he flourishes on that diet. The hummingbird, on the other hand, never seems to notice the stench of rotting flesh. He looks for the beautiful blossoms that dot the cactus plants growing out of the parched sand. Both birds seem to find what they are looking for.

These birds illustrate how we can react to the world we live in. We, too, tend to find what we are looking for. Why is it that two people can live in the same community, experience similar problems, and yet one will be content, and the other one will only find things to complain about? What’s the difference between the two? Although they are both struggling with problems, their focuses are different.

When life gets hard, our thoughts tend to be consumed with our circumstances. That can get really depressing! There seems to be no end to bad news. (By the way, that makes me wonder why I ever watch the news on TV.) I have learned that it is not possible to be truly happy while I am focusing on the bad things happening around me. It’s also true that we won’t be happy if we are dreaming about making more money or getting a better house or moving to a better neighborhood. That kind of focus is like the vulture who is searching for stuff that decays.

The Bible has a better way. It shows us how to have a completely different focus. When you have a few minutes, please get out your Bible. (I’ll send you one for free if you don’t have one.) I can point you to some passages that will help you see the way God wants us all to think.

Here is a good place to start: King David asked God, “Teach me Your way, O Lord, and lead me in a level path” (Psalm 27:11). David was asking God so show him something beautiful, like the hummingbird who searches for flowers.

What is God’s “way”? God’s Word will show us. As we study it, we learn how good God is. “How great is Your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear You, which You have wrought for those who take refuge in You” (Psalm 31:19). “There is none like You, O Lord; You are great, and great is Your name in might” (Jeremiah 10:6). God is eternal, all-powerful, beautiful, glorious, patient, and completely holy.

We also have to turn our anger away from people or circumstances. Instead of hating the faults we see in others around us, we have to learn to hate our own sin. Our own sin offends a holy and grace-loving God. David cried out to God and said, “Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. Against You, You only, I have sinned and done what is evil in Your sight” (Psalm 51:2,4). When we have repented and turned from our own sin, God will turn us into “hummingbirds” who look for—and who will find—much beauty in God.

After David prayed for the Lord to “purify” and “wash” him from his sin (Psalm 51:7), his gloom turned to joy. “Make me to hear joy and gladness, let the bones which You have broken rejoice. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit. . . .