Flock Together
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Philippians 2:4
As I write this, I’m observing a flock of robins in our yard. They aren’t just passing through. The birds have hung around for days. This surprised me since I thought they would have all migrated long ago.
However, in doing a bit of research, I found out that while many robins do in fact head south, not all of them choose to escape winter’s bite. Robins can withstand extremely cold temperatures, adding warm, downy feathers to their plumage. In fact, they have been observed in every U.S. state (except Hawaii) and all southern Canadian provinces in January.
The real motivation for the birds to migrate is food or rather the lack of it. As their warm-weather diet of earthworms and insects wanes, robins alter their diet transitioning from protein-rich invertebrates to vitamin-rich winter fruits and berries.
We have a bunch of bushes along the edge of the woods outside my office window that are filled with red berries. And the bushes are filled with feeding robins.
But why the flocks? These flocks, which can number in the dozens, stand in contrast to the birds’ territorial pairings in spring and summer. So why do they gather together?
Flocking offers critical benefits. Larger groups mean more eyes and improved chances to spot and avoid predators. If a prowling cat is spotted, the flock is alerted.
And they also increase the odds of discovering food. If one robin stumbles on a source of berries or seeds they alert the entire group so that all can find provision.
In short, a winter flock of robins takes care of each other.
Lessons from our Feathered Friends
As I watched the flock of robins, I thought of the lesson they could teach us.
When the cold wind of life blows, it’s important for us to take care of one another. Like those birds, we are threatened by one who would seek to take us down. So, we need to be willing to warn one another when we sense danger.
We should also look out for one another when it comes to provision. And when we find that which gives life to us, we need to share it with others.
Most of us won’t be “flying south” for the winter (though becoming a snowbird does sound attractive at times). We will have to endure the challenge of the cold.
So, as we do, let’s follow the example of our feathered friends. Let’s look out for one another and let’s give life to one another.
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