Bike Rides, Hummingbirds and Wood Peckers
“Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.” ESV Proverbs 12:11
This past weekend I took a break and stopped to “smell the roses.” On Saturday I went bicycling with my son and a group of our friends. We pedaled some forty miles across sections of Franklin, Colbert and Lawrence counties. I was reminded anew that I’m not as young as I once was and of just how refreshing a hot shower followed by a two hour nap can be!
We started with the wind at our backs, but as we turned back to the south and then to the west, we faced a stiff, fifteen mile per hour headwind. I never considered quitting and letting the wind get the best of me, but I did have to remind myself that forward progress could only be accomplished by continued pedal strokes; one methodical circle at a time.
On Sunday afternoon I headed to a cabin on Little Bear Creek Lake where I was treated to a spectacular view of the lake aglow in the afternoon sun. I was also greeted by a hummingbird that had an odd fascination with my sandal and two wood peckers hard at work on a nearby tree. As I watched, I noticed that the hummingbird had a curious attraction to anything colorful and still. I’m sure its daily search for food.
But it was the two wood peckers that brought this verse to mind. The pair must have been male and female; one being larger than the other. And they were steady boring a nesting hole into a tree. One of them would stand aside or fly away while the other methodically ducked into the tree, banged away for a moment, and came out with a mouth full of sawdust. Then they would swap for a spell; but the work continued unabated. And I have no doubt that they’ll be in their new home soon.
Now think for a moment about the truth of our verse from my weekend observations. Had the wind bettered me, I could have stopped on the side of the road, but I wouldn't have been any closer to crossing the finish line. The hummingbird looked silly trying to find nectar in my sandal strap, but he would’ve never found a meal resting in his nest. And those two wood peckers. Well, they have learned the art of working together in a focused effort to get the job done and they’ll very soon reap rewards.
Are you methodically working your land, focused on the truly important things in your life, or are you distracted and following worthless pursuits? Distractions are plentiful. Spend some time this week focusing on the truly important things in your life; especially your relationship with God and your family. The fruit of your labor will be sweet.
Ken worships at Tharptown Baptist Church in Russellville where he leads an adult Bible study. Comments are welcome and may be sent to kenaskew@charter.net.
This past weekend I took a break and stopped to “smell the roses.” On Saturday I went bicycling with my son and a group of our friends. We pedaled some forty miles across sections of Franklin, Colbert and Lawrence counties. I was reminded anew that I’m not as young as I once was and of just how refreshing a hot shower followed by a two hour nap can be!
We started with the wind at our backs, but as we turned back to the south and then to the west, we faced a stiff, fifteen mile per hour headwind. I never considered quitting and letting the wind get the best of me, but I did have to remind myself that forward progress could only be accomplished by continued pedal strokes; one methodical circle at a time.
On Sunday afternoon I headed to a cabin on Little Bear Creek Lake where I was treated to a spectacular view of the lake aglow in the afternoon sun. I was also greeted by a hummingbird that had an odd fascination with my sandal and two wood peckers hard at work on a nearby tree. As I watched, I noticed that the hummingbird had a curious attraction to anything colorful and still. I’m sure its daily search for food.
But it was the two wood peckers that brought this verse to mind. The pair must have been male and female; one being larger than the other. And they were steady boring a nesting hole into a tree. One of them would stand aside or fly away while the other methodically ducked into the tree, banged away for a moment, and came out with a mouth full of sawdust. Then they would swap for a spell; but the work continued unabated. And I have no doubt that they’ll be in their new home soon.
Now think for a moment about the truth of our verse from my weekend observations. Had the wind bettered me, I could have stopped on the side of the road, but I wouldn't have been any closer to crossing the finish line. The hummingbird looked silly trying to find nectar in my sandal strap, but he would’ve never found a meal resting in his nest. And those two wood peckers. Well, they have learned the art of working together in a focused effort to get the job done and they’ll very soon reap rewards.
Are you methodically working your land, focused on the truly important things in your life, or are you distracted and following worthless pursuits? Distractions are plentiful. Spend some time this week focusing on the truly important things in your life; especially your relationship with God and your family. The fruit of your labor will be sweet.
Ken worships at Tharptown Baptist Church in Russellville where he leads an adult Bible study. Comments are welcome and may be sent to kenaskew@charter.net.
posted by TBC at
9:04 PM
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