The Three Little Birds

Lee rushed me away from a project a few days ago and pulled me onto our shower porch.  I just knew something was wrong.  Relief set in when he whispered for me to be quiet and motioned me to follow.  We leaned over the railing and gently held back a few branches on a tea-olive tree.  Hidden away, were three freshly hatched baby birds.  Why seeing those little birds brought me such joy, I don't really know.  After all, we live in the country and could find a half-dozen nests on any given spring day...

Like any practical mama my mind went straight to the dangers of having baby birds close; and those dangers pretty much start and stop with snakes.  Call me a hater, but I haven't an ounce of love in my heart for the slithering serpents.  I pretty much abhor them, and if birds had bigger brains, they would, too.

Just as those baby birds have an enemy, so do we.  Our enemy is real.  He's alert, alive, and aware; and he can take us down if we're not careful. 1 Peter 5:8 teaches us to "be self-controlled and alert.  Our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." Alone, I have no defense.  I am just as weak and helpless as these newborn birds.


But then the cross...


The cross makes all the difference.  Call me naive, closed minded, brainwashed, foolish- whatever you want, but I believe.  I believe Jesus died a painful death on the cross.  I believe He conquered death and came to life again on that first Easter Sunday morning.  I believe when my eyes are steadfastly on Him that Satan has no power over me and I am no longer defenseless.  I believe that my future death is not the end, but rather the beginning.  I believe that I will spend eternity with Him in a real place, called Heaven.  I believe.

Today is Easter.

Today I celebrate!

"Oh Death, where is your victory?  Oh Death, where is your sting?"
1 Corinthians 15:55