The Vultures

My week had been a difficult one as I faced many possible upcoming changes along with an ongoing issue with a loved one. My heart was heavy and I knew that having some alone time with the Lord, surrounded by His beautiful creation was exactly what I needed to calm down and get filled with His truth. 

The wetlands surrounded me as I made my way down the trail. I stopped and noticed two vultures sitting amongst several varieties of nesting birds. They were attempting to appear unassuming and harmless, just hanging out...waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.

After I walked a long distance and was just about to turn around to head back because my to-do list at home was a mile long...I felt the Lord prompting me, "Keep going, I have something to show you." I noticed a bridge about a mile up ahead and decided to continue on until I reached it. Just as I turned, a beautiful pelican with an enormous wing span glided right next to me, his wing almost grazing my right shoulder. I thought, "Wow…that's amazing!" He continued his low flight until he was a few feet past me and then soared overhead. 

I finally reached the bridge and stood watching the beautiful, endangered, California tern circle overhead, squawking and dive bombing into the water in search of food, coming up empty time and again but never giving up. He knew there was food for him, he just needed to keep seeking. I stayed for a while, enjoying the view and thanking God for reminding me that He provides for my needs, I cannot quit, give up or stop seeking Him, for He knows exactly what I'll be facing and what I need to make it through the day.

But wait! Just when I began to head back, the Lord had more to show me. A woman came walking towards me and stopped me in my tracks, saying, "Did you see that?" "No what?" I curiously replied. She went on, "There was a seagull who had a large dead fish in his mouth when all of a sudden, a vulture flew up. The seagull didn't budge!" Raising her eyebrows in excitement she said, "I wanted to yell, GET OUT OF THERE before he hurts you…drop the fish! Then all of a sudden, a second vulture flew in. The two large menacing birds were surrounding him, but he still stood his ground. I couldn't believe it!" She paused as I said, "Wow…that's crazy!" Then she moved closer to me and with a knowing look said, "That seagull had some kind of power to be able to stand up against those two vultures!" She smiled and walked away, just like that.

I got a little teary eyed, thanking God for another reminder of HIS TRUTH. With God on our side, we have nothing to fear! "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." 1 John 4:4

Life's vultures may be surrounding you...sickness, hopelessness, addictions, people, unforgiveness, doubt and fear. But God is with you, telling you to stand your ground in Christ. Stand against surrounding vultures reminding yourself, "What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31 
"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Romans 8:37 
Remember today to pray, read God's Word and let Him take care of you. You've been redeemed! You've been restored! You've been forgiven! Let go and let God!

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" Matthew 6:26