Being a Light in a Dark World
A Swallow, having very short legs, cannot fly or even move when caught in this position.
Mike Merrill / Video Director
Have you ever seen a Swallow laying in this position? If you ever do, you might stare at it or feel bad for a moment—and then just walk on by, thinking that it’s doomed or a lost cause.
Swallows normally perch on wires, tree branches or on the top of buildings. But these acrobats of the sky are not made to take off from flat surfaces. Their small legs don't give them the necessary momentum, and their long, elegant wings just hit the ground.
If you see a swallow in this situation, don't panic. But also, don't ignore it. Don't leave it to the dangers that lurk at ground level. Approach carefully. Speak softly, so as not to scare it. Bend down and pick it up gently in your hands. Now raise your arms slowly, giving it a launching pad. Don't throw it, you’re just lifting it up, giving the opportunity to feel the wind beneath its wings again.
As I was reading about this, I was immediately confronted by the fact that this is the same way we must act toward the lost souls in this world. There are many things that one can be stuck in … not knowing where to turn for help or even being so lost that they don’t even realize they need help. But the more I look, with intentionality, I am beginning to see so many people who just need someone to pick them up and allow them to feel cared about, loved, or even just to be seen and acknowledged. It often doesn’t take much to take a person who is stuck and point them to The Way, The Truth, and The Life.
A loving gesture, a small gift, providing for a need in someone’s life, or even just a loving embrace can have a huge impact. When Jesus provided the miracle of food for 5,000 people with just a few fish and some bread, He was meeting a need. I believe He was doing this because He knew without providing the need of sustenance for their bodies, they wouldn’t be in the position to hear the Word of Life that they needed to feed their souls. It’s a great formula to follow. Provide a need in someone’s life and then share The Message with them. I can say from experience … if you just walk on by you might be missing out on some of the sweetest, low-hanging fruit you could experience.
God will redeem your time, and you’ll walk away with an extra spring in your step that will last for longer than earthly possible.