As I noted in last month’s article, Sheila and I were in Darien, GA, a few weeks back for a little time off. It was an enjoyable time and we were able to get some needed rest. We were able to travel to all kinds of nearby towns including Jekyll Island, Savannah, and St. Simon’s. From historical facilities to nature preserves, it was memorable!
But one of the most interesting things I observed wasn’t at a fort or a turtle sanctuary, but just on the highway. As we were driving, I saw a crow. Now you might be surprised to know that I’m a fan of crows. I think they are some of the most unique animals, and most especially because of how they learn and how they relate to one another. Crows are intelligent and very social. So social, in fact, that they defend and support one another.
That’s what I observed as we were driving. There was a crow that was flying toward a hawk who had evidently agitated it. As happens, these larger birds will come near the nests of these smaller birds to take their food or even harm their babies. So, whatever had occurred, this crow was flying after this hawk to chase him away. Well as they flew, I then saw a crow going in the opposite direction about 20 feet away. All of a sudden, when that crow saw the interaction of the other two birds, he turned around and flew to the side of his crow friend. They chased that hawk away together and soon turned around and flew away beside each other.
As I observed this, I found it so interesting. Seeing these two crows that were flying in different directions come together to support each other was something unique. They had a common goal, which was to get that hawk away from them. And they were united in that goal, although one was headed in a different direction. Whatever else they might have been doing, that hawk was a threat to them both. Nothing else mattered but getting that job done.
1 Corinthians 1:10 tells us “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.” If we know Jesus, we are unified in one belief, and we are unified in one mission – to make disciples. That means to bring people to a belief in Christ and then personally and relationally grow them in that belief. That is why we exist and it’s our unified mission.
Now, we may have other matters on our mind – caring for our own home, working on some hobby of ours, or even pursuing some secondary goal we have for ourselves or the church. But, all those things must come second to the unity that Jesus calls us to – in agreement and mind: that we might make disciples, whatever is required of us.
We have a core mission, and no matter what direction we might be flying in individually when that mission requires our time, attention, or resources, our God calls us to shift our flight patterns and come together. Moving in one direction, with one aim.
So take flight, catch the wind, and let’s move the mission forward, together.
In Christ,
William
Opmerkingen