But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Galatians 5:16 ESV

The hummingbirds are reaching the height of their summer activity as they buzz to and fro in the search for food. It’s as if they’re fighting for life itself; the intensity of their movements as they shift battle mode, from “attack,” to “defend,” and back again, is an entertaining show. Here lately, their feeders are always drained at the end of each day.

As soon as one lights, another one will be there within seconds, trying to usurp the other’s position. The drama of their constant conflict in their quest for survival plays out on the grand stage of the front porch.

They remind me of people, myself included, who sometimes just can’t leave well enough alone. It isn’t enough that we have our own issues to tend to, but we get drawn into everyone else’s business, sometimes with intentions that aren’t exactly as pure as the driven snow. We, too, jockey for position at the expense of others. We covet what they have, wearing ourselves down with jealous thoughts and motives.

Surely we can do better than the birds, for we do not operate on mere instinct. We are given the gift of a choice: through God’s strength, we can overcome the desires of the flesh and the battles of the mind. May we lean into the attitude of service to others, rather than the gratification of our own motives. May we always seek the will of God and let His purposes be the driving factor behind all of our activities.

Not how much we can take down in one feeding before someone else swoops in to take our place! 

Prayer: Father, thank you for the lessons learned from nature. Help me serve You and others selflessly.