Wren Looking Down

Articles

John Miller
04/22/24 - Windstream Mail

R E F L E C T I O N S

Thoughts on nature and the Christian faith

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"The haughty looks of man shall be brought low,

and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled, and the

Lord alone will be exalted in that day." - Isa. 2:11

I photographed this wren as it was looking down on a few birds beneath it on the ground. I'm not sure what prompted this fellow to look down on those birds beneath him, but I doubt it was what causes many of us to look down on our fellow man. Our motives are usually feelings of superiority or arrogance. We judge others to be of less worth than ourselves based on their perceived intelligence, social standing, education, wealth, race, or even political or religious views. Many of us use such things to subjugate others and to elevate ourselves. It all comes down to pride which is a main underlying sin Christians are called to denounce. Loving enemies seems as foreign to us today as it did to those Jesus taught so long ago. We are called to consider others to be of the same worth as ourselves, to come under and serve, rather than to lord it over and rule, to lead by example rather than by fiat. If Jesus were present with us bodily today, would he be serving the outcasts of our society or would he be denouncing and ridiculing them? Would he be involved in things which divide us, or would he be striving to unite us? In short, would he be a friend to the tax collectors and sinners of our day, or would he be at home with the Pharisees? I think we all know the answers to those questions. Pride and arrogance have no place in those who have been born again because they had no place in the One we claim to emulate. Far too many so-called Christians are known for who they hate rather than for who they love. I am pretty sure that the motive this wren had for looking down on those below him was not arrogant pride. I just wish I could say the same for far too many of us. God is to be exalted, not us. Our job is to serve the lowest and so honor He who is the highest. - John