Scrub Jays – Refugees from the fires
Yesterday I was treated to the sight of a pair of California scrub jays at our little backyard feeder. They are a rare sight in these parts, although since the California wildfires of a few years ago, they are somewhat more common.
While on our mini vacation, we spoke to a couple from Northern Alberta. A mountain sheep has been seen in their area. The sheep are typically found in the Jasper area, but were driven out by wildfires. Now they are attempting to make a home hundreds of miles from their home.
The jays and the mountain sheep (and I’m sure many other species) refugees who fled a disaster, looking for a safe harbor. They are doing their best to make a way in an unfamiliar and, in many ways, hostile environment.
There is a sense in which all Christians are refugees as well. We grow up in a fallen world that is hostile to the Christian worldview. When we do become believers, our citizenship becomes that of heaven, and instead of being enemies of God, we become enemies to the world.
The once familiar is now strange. The former close friend now rejects and ridicules us. Things we once thought nothing of now cause us discomfort.
Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 1 Peter 2:11 ESV
If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. John 15:19 ESV
We might be strangers, sojourners, even refugees in this world, but our home is secure.
In the interim, we have the Word to strengthen us. We have other believers to walk with. Most importantly, we have the Spirit within us to guide us and testify to our status as children of God and coheirs with Christ. The Spirit is our passport into the kingdom, both here and forever in glory.
Hold fast, my friends. The wandering time may seem long and hard at times, but we have victory in Him.
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed,
Kevin