Ozarkian Insight

By C. Sampson

This past week, the majority of the Golden Community Church family (along with some old friends), went to Branson, MO. The goal of this time was to provide each of us, collectively and individually, an opportunity to get away from the noise of normal life and spend some dedicated time with the Father. Our home for the week was a wonderful camp in the Ozarks and it provided me with the chance to see some wildlife that is not readily available for viewing in the Denver area. I saw tons of Turkey vultures, I think they must be the MO state bird, blue jays and gray squirrels. But, there was one creature that caught my eye without any effort on my part.

It was late morning, early in the week, as I headed to the meeting hall for one of our first gatherings. Among the white oaks and flowering dogwoods I saw it; a blaze of crimson. The scarlet tanager stopped for a short rest on an oak and Mike and I watched in stunned silence at the amazing sight before us. Now, if you’ve never seen this particular bird in full breeding plumage, as I hadn’t, the contrast to its surroundings is unbelievable. The forest is a beautiful amalgam of greens, browns and grays, each color distinct, yet blending together to form a complete image. But, unlike the robins, sparrows and other birds of the area, the tanager was not content to blend in. Casting all caution to the wind, the bird put on its brightest clothes and positioned itself in the trees. Vulnerable, yes, but no less breathtaking. As I considered this sight, I realized just how much this reflects our lives as Christians.

In John 17:16, John quotes Jesus as He comments on the status of His disciples, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.” With the Spirit inside us, we are new creations; we are no longer of this world. The tanager was just a bird, like all the other birds I saw that week. It lived in the forest, flew around and sang songs just the same as the robin. But, it’s fiery red feathers made it stick out like all of us should in our average world. We are people, human, just like our neighbors, family and co-workers, but the Spirit makes us (or should make us) stand out. This is not about us making something happen or “behavior modification as we’ve been known to call it. The tanager doesn’t think about being different, it simply grows red feathers. This is the same for us. Allow the Spirit to work in you. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Seek His guidance as you go through life, follow His lead and ask Him how to love and be an example. 

Though we may physically look like every other Tom, Dick and Harry, or the female equivalent, our thoughts and behavior should be Spirit led. If we walk in this truth, we will surely stand out from the crowds.