[This reflection by Dennis Ginter was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 17/Nov/2024]
Last Wednesday at 10:30 a.m., as we left the church building, this large bird was sitting on the roof of the house directly opposite the front door of the church. On Saturday, Martin photographed it at exactly the same spot. At first I thought it was a stork, but in Martin’s photo it’s facing front, and we decided it was more likely a rather bedraggled-looking heron with its long neck drawn in!
Scripturally, there are just a few references to these somewhat similar birds, and it’s not always clear to which one they are referring – the stork or the heron. In any case, the Hebrew people saw a significance in these magnificent creatures. Jeremiah expresses the Lord’s anger that the stork obeys a clear springtime migration pattern from Africa to Israel, while the people fail to follow His laws!
Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons, and the dove, the swift and the thrush observe the time of their migration. But my people do not know the requirements of the Lord.
Jeremiah 8 v7 [NIVUK]
The heron has long been associated with curiosity, self-reliance, stability, vigilance and – observing that poisonous snakes are among it’s prey – it’s ability to kill the devil!
Despite my fascination with our visitor, I hesitate to attach any spiritual significance to its presence, except to remind myself – and my readers – that God often speaks to us in surprising ways!!
With Blessings,
Dennis
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Last Sunday’s reflection: I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me by Chris Ginter
Contributed by Dennis Ginter; © Dennis Ginter