Lessons From The Flock: Run To God, Be Content, Be Joyful

I could hardly believe my eyes!

Normally when I walk out the back door of the house, the four hens come running to me. They think I’ll have a treat for them, and they are usually correct. So they run to me, stand as tall as they can, and sometimes jump as they try to get goodies out of my hands.

But today as I walked out the back door, I was quieter than usual; and the birds, who were out of sight, didn’t hear me. I stood there for a minute with no visible activity in the yard. I then began to hum a song. No words; I just softly hummed.

Pandemonium erupted in the backyard!

I don’t know how to accurately spell what I heard, so I won’t try. But these birds exploded from behind the 8x10 barn! They came half-running and half-flying as fast as I have ever seen a chicken move. With wings spread straight out like a hawk on the attack, the pea-brain-sized head making more noise than seemingly possible, the four birds came racing to see what their benefactor had for them.

It amazes me to see the joy the birds express when they know I am near. When they either see or hear me, they stop everything they might be doing and come running. If they even see me through the kitchen window they come to the fence.

Stop and think about it: these chickens joyfully interact with me, their loving benefactor. How many Christians do you know who joyfully interact with our loving Benefactor — Almighty God?

Okay, you might say that we cannot see God. Well, most of the time our chickens cannot see me either because I am out of sight. But they LOOK for me. Are we LOOKING for God?

The birds love me because of what I do for them. On a much higher level, do we love God for what He does for us? We don’t have to look far to see His blessings. In fact, if we don’t see them we are blind, because God’s blessings are so abundant and prevalent.

Sadly, some Christians are oblivious to what God has done for them; but on the other hand, many Christians do see the blessings but still are not joyful. Why not? Let’s look at two definitions.

One internet definition of joyfulness: the emotion evoked by well-being, success, good fortune, or by the prospect of possessing what one desires. (Actually, that is the definition of happiness which deals with circumstances; but the modern world confuses joy with happiness.)

A definition and application that is more appropriate: the spontaneous enthusiasm I experience when I am in fellowship with the Lord (Psalm 16:11). If God never did anything else for me, I would be satisfied because 1) my relationship with Him is intact, 2) my eternal future is secure, and 3) I have everything I need to fulfill God’s will for my life.

So, let’s look back at the chickens. Are they joyful or happy? They are a little of both: they get their treats, but they also walk with me as I traipse around the yard. The birds really enjoy being with me.

Dear reader, are you enjoying your relationship with God, your Supreme Benefactor, or are you worried, mired in the “mud” of everyday life? Do you invest time observing and enjoying the blessings God has heaped upon you, or are you immersed in some level of self-pity because things don’t go your way? If we are purposely doing something – thought, word, or deed – that is contrary to Biblical principles, we will not have the Joy of the Lord.

So “Run to the Lord” with your whole heart. Be satisfied with what He gives you. Even experiencing financial or material loss, God still blesses us. First Timothy 6:6 says, “Godliness with contentment is great gain.”

Look for God; He is watching you.

GENE LINZEY IS A SPEAKER, AUTHOR, MENTOR AND PRESIDENT OF THE SILOAM SPRINGS WRITERS GUILD. SEND COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS TO MASTERS.SERVANT@COX.NET. THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHOR.