The Courage of a Wren (06/11/2024)

This past week, as I’ve watched the activity outside my porch, the wrens have been tending to their nests in the four-plex birdhouse hanging from a branch of the closest white pine. They are constantly flying in and out, caring for the young within. A few days ago, a curious squirrel thought he’d check that bird house out. It didn’t end well for him; the wrens dive bombed him right out of the tree and had him on the run for as far as I could see. Then yesterday, a huge blue jay came to the neighborhood, landed on the birdhouse and began to try to get his head into the wren size holes of the house. Out of nowhere, the adult wrens came at him. They chased him away, completely out of the neighborhood. How I wish I had the courage of a wren.

As I think about the wrens and their immediate response for the sake of others, their most vulnerable, they not only defend but they drive out the source of danger. They seem fearless, these tiniest of birds, against foes multiple times their size. I don’t know if they lack perspective or if they simply possess rightful courage that allows them to believe they are up to battle. I wish I understood it better. I wish our world understood it better. There’s a lesson for us in the courage of the wrens.

As believers in Christ, we are charged with bringing Christ to others and others to Christ through our words and through our actions. We are charged with caring for one another as the LORD cares for us. We must be the ones to stay off dangers to others with courage.  And danger usually comes in the form of one larger and more powerful than us, but we must find within us the courage of the wren. We are created by the same LORD; we know that with the LORD all things are possible.

As we continue on our journeys, may we find our voices for Christ. As we continue on our journeys of faith, may we find that our faith enlarges daily as we draw nearer to our LORD and as we draw upon the LORD’s love for us. May we recognize within us the gifts of the Spirit and use them.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.