Context: I have a buddy who adores birds as much as I adore trees. I am grateful to him for sharing his pictures with me of his beloved birds. Here are a few of them:

Encouragement: When I slow down and concentrate on the intricacies and irreducible complexities of birds–large, small, or tiny ones–it staggers my little mind. And I revert to the comforts I find in language. It is language that reminds me of birds, yes, but more of their Creator.

I think of Exodus 19, for example, where God speaks to Moses on Sinai. Israel had just been miraculously delivered from Egyptian captivity: “You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:4-6a ESV).

God essentially paints Moses a linguistic picture, saying, Don’t forget that deliverance is like being borne upon eagles’ wings, Moses; so, don’t forget. Remember who the Deliverer is. Remember His power.