Be Free

We have just had a wonderful time in Australia with two of our daughters and their beautiful families. We saw really extravagant nature which reminded me of an interesting picture that our Wonderful, Amazing, Giving, Almighty Father showed me when I was a new Christian.

I was babysitting for a neighbour and they had a beautiful bird who was in a cage on a stand close to their open window.
Several birds flew past the open window and I saw how both are birds but a bird in a cage was in such a safe place. All his food was provided, he had human company, warm and very safe. He didn't need to do without, be uncomfortable or even be worried about any enemies! His owner provided his every need. Even when allowed into the sitting room to fly round with a little bit of freedom, he never made a fly for the sky, he knew his limitations and where he was well off and provided for.

But the birds that were outside didn't have any of the provision of safety, security and many enemy opportunities for attack. But they did have freedom to see such amazing sights and experience such a variety of wonderful situations, such beauty, and viewing many types of other birds, many of whom were friendly.

I saw in this picture of the caged or wild birds as a picture of all believers. Some of us are in a church, very involved with all the provision of spiritual food and security, often not needing to find it for ourselves but being spoon fed. We are comfortable most of the time, knowing we always have a safe home and we can be confident it is there for us as long as we don't try to disappear! 

On the other hand there are believers outside the secure cage who are very much still birds but for various reasons are not in the 'cage' and love the freedom to be moved by the 'wind' of the Holy Spirit.

They see so much variety with other wild birds, meeting with all their different brothers and sisters in Christ who like to express their love for Him in so many different ways and cultures.

Search out what Jesus says about varied places to worship God and how to, when He is talking to the Samaritan woman in John 4:19-24.
'The woman talking to Jesus says, “Sir, I see that You are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you people say that the place where people must worship is in Jerusalem.” Jesus said to her, “Believe Me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You people worship what you do not know. We worship what we know, because salvation is from the Jews. But a time is coming—and now is here—when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such people to be His worshipers. God is Spirit, and the people who worship Him must worship in Spirit and truth.'

For further information about the Samaritan woman and the true worship of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by believers see http://www.joyforlife.org/index.php/real-women-24/