Birds and Faith
January 8, 2025
Luke 3:21-22
Now when all the people were baptized and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, The Beloved; with you I am well pleased. "
Birds and Faith
Lately, I’ve been paying more attention to birds. It might be because the birds I’m seeing on a daily basis are so different from the ones I’m used to seeing. (The bird in the picture at the top of this devotion has started hanging out across the street.) Watching them be who they are, participate in their communities, fly through the air – what a testimony they are to the beauty and power of nature.
In our passage, the dove appearing during the baptism leads the way to the words of the identity of Jesus that comes in the voice from Heaven. It is the Holy Spirit who shows up – in the form of a dove.
A dove showed up at a baptism I was part of once, sitting on the edge of the church roof as we came outside. I’d never seen a dove in that area before. Friends of mine feel the power of the love of those who have passed in the presence of certain birds showing up in just the right moments. They point them past this present reality, to other worldly connections.
What do you think? Could the Holy Spirit be present in ways we haven’t thought of, showing up to bring us messages of hope, peace, direction, love? Could it be that in the presence of birds, we can witness a reminder that the love of God surrounds us, and carries us on its wings?
Reflection Questions:
1) What helps you when you encounter Bible stories that challenge your understanding about how you expect God to show up?
2) Do you have memories of an otherworldly nature that help you in times of questioning or struggle?
3) Can you make room for a spirituality that doesn’t feel “normal” to you? What would that look like?
Dear God, I don’t always know what to think when I hear otherworldly stories. Help me to just let your love surround me and be thankful for all the different ways you work in the world. In Jesus Name, Amen
