Caught!

It’s wonderful watching all the birds in our backyard. They love the feeders and flock to them in great plenitude. However, yesterday I realized I wasn’t the only one birdwatching. Our cat had perched herself right under the feeder waiting patiently. At first I thought she was waiting for one bird to carelessly swoop too low but as I looked closer I spotted what she was spying. A beautiful little bright yellow bird was perched on the feeder but wasn’t flying. At first I thought the bird was injured and had flown to safety. I had to see what was going on in this situation. 

As I went outside, the cat reluctantly left and all the other birds temporarily flew away. As I approached, I saw the problem. The poor little bird had managed to wedge her foot down in between the bars of the hook that was hanging the bird feeder. She was caught. She had injured herself desperately trying to get loose. I carefully pried the bars apart and she frantically flew off to safety. I learned many lessons from this event. 

One….danger lurks quietly and closely, waiting to spring into action. The cat waited until one of the birds was injured or vulnerable. Then she quietly crept into the area and quietly waited until it was time to pounce. That is how sin occurs…quietly and reserved….just waiting for you to get caught and then it will devour you. No drug addict intends to get addicted. One hit won’t matter…and then you’re caught. The grip of addiction has pounced upon you. An innocent flirtation doesn’t intentionally begin as an affair. But after a few coffees, several emails and exchanges of an innocent embrace two people are entangled in a hurtful situation that has no easy resolve.

Two….you have to be aware of your surroundings at all times. What do we tell young drivers? Look out for the other guy! The same is in life. Be aware that there are those out there that want to scam you. Be wise. Use great caution. Get rich quick schemes usually leave you broke. When others are spreading gossip, walk away. Nothing productive is to be gained by spreading rumors and hurtful information. Proverbs 15:4 states, “A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.” 

Three…when you’re caught you may not be able to get out of the situation yourself. You may need help. When you’re in a situation where you see no productive resolution, call upon a faithful friend. They may not give you advice that you want, but they will give you advice that you need. Pray! God is always ready to help and many times He will do that through his Word. 

And finally….when you get a means of escape, take it! Proverbs 4:14-15 says, “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.” If we had an illness we wouldn’t think twice about adhering to the doctor’s advice. Listen to God. Be still. He will give you a way out of your situation. It might mean that you end a relationship. It could mean that you tighten your spending and you don’t get to buy that new car you are eyeing. It might mean that you quit a job. Whatever guidance God gives you take it! Be like the yellow bird that flew to safety. Flee while you can! Otherwise, you might just get tired of the battle and fall into the grips of destruction.