Things Are Looking Up
A Bird Parable Devotional
While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” ~Acts 1:10-11
Birders have a term for it, warbler neck. It is that literal pain in the neck that results from constant scanning of treetops for tiny flitting specks of color, i.e. warblers. Spring migration is all about looking up, literally and figuratively. There is a swelling of optimism each morning that breaks with the promise of new species arriving in the neighborhood, even if they are just stopping off on their trek northward.
For me, this year has been looking up in terms of being on pace to set a personal best for the number of species recorded in Kennebec County. So much so, that looking up in hope of spotting migrants, I’m looking up details about arrival dates for those very local breeders not yet on the list. Birds like that last warbler (Louisiana Waterthrush) that is “in” in Hallowell, but I haven’t chased yet. Or that last swallow (Cliff) that should be “in” in Augusta any day now. Or that last Sparrow (Vesper) that simply needs to be cooperative when I get around to visiting the blueberry barrens in Vienna. All are pretty much stakeouts requiring patience, more looking out for the opportunity than looking up in hope.
The story of the Ascension of Jesus is a powerful metaphor about where to look for help, hope, power, and strength. The disciples are looking longingly toward the far off heavens, while a pair of angels remind them to lower their gaze and expect to find the spirit of God where she always resides, among God’s people. Heaven is not then and there, it is here and now.
Prayer: Surprising Spirit, grant us the patience and stamina to seek you, remembering that you nest among us. Amen.