My Faith Doesn’t Fly

“I think I’m gonna take the bay window bird feeder down, Cass,” my husband finally admitted. “After two months of no birds coming, it’s a waste of space and seed.” I think the disappointment was evident on my face, because he quickly added, “I’ll give it a while longer, but it’s not looking promising.” 

That very night, one small bird landed on the feeder! Hallelujah! I mentally exclaimed. Peter can’t tell me it’s a pointless feeder anymore! No other birds came for several more days, though, and my disappointment quickly returned. 

Too often, any form of evangelism I’m brave enough to try feels like my tale of the bird feeder. One attempt flourishes immediately, and the wind in my sails is strong as I think, “I can do that again! It’ll be just as much a success!” Only it’s not a visible success, and I walk away feeling discouraged, confused, and unused. 

 Or, at the very least, my grand dreams of reaching the masses comes up with a much smaller amount. The Vacation Bible School that was just the pastor’s kids and their one unsaved friend. The outreach at the park meant to reach a city block and ended up being a long conversation with a homeless man. Were my efforts worth it if they reached such a small amount?

Well, let me take you back to my bird feeders. That one lonesome little bird that showed up? He must’ve flown to the next town, gotten lost, taken a few naps, and ridden out the storm, but he came back. When I least expected him to, he returned, and he brought his friends. 

 In much the same way, we can never know what that one person or small crowd does when they hear and benefit from the light of Christ and the truth we share with them. God has a way of working in the most unusual ways.