Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. (Matthew 10:16)
Read: Genesis 30:1-31:16 Matthew 10:1-23 Psalm 12:1-8 Proverbs 3:13-15
Relate: Columbidae. Dove. Pigeon. Technically, there’s 310 species of the bird and in English the two words are used interchangeably. Too bad. I love doves. I hate pigeons. I love doves because of their theological implications in verses like this one, and in songs like Misty Edwards’ Dove’s Eyes. I hate pigeons because they used to wake me up every stinking morning. Some time around 5-5:30 AM they would be right there, outside my window cooing, murmuring and staring right at me. I mean, literally, within arms reach if that stupid window wasn’t in my way. If that window wasn’t there I’m sure they would have flown right in and started pecking at me. If that window wasn’t there I’m sure I would often have been eating pigeon stew for breakfast.
On most mornings I would wake up with my back to the window but when I heard them I would roll over and there would be a flutter of wings. In seconds they would all be back. I’d open my eyes and a dozen heads, with those beady eyes would be staring at me. If I was annoyed enough I’d make a sudden movement. They would flap away but it was no use. In a few seconds they were back and, I swear, they brought reinforcements. Cold or warm, rain or shine, it didn’t matter. They were so faithful. They were so focused. They were so… I’m getting all tense and angry just remembering that bedroom in the attic.
React: “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.” Ever think about that? We often talk about the power we have in Christ. This is true, but it is not power like we, or at least I, normally think of power. God has sent us out to get slaughtered. To be devoured.
“Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as harmless as doves.” Way back in my preteen days I remember playing a game with some other boys. There were little green snakes, garters I think, everywhere and we were trying to catch them and tie them in a knot. Catching them was tough, holding them was tougher, and tying them up… impossible. When I think I think of the shrewdness of snakes I think of that impossibility. When I think of the harmlessness of doves, I think of that which is watching me every morning, ready to take flight at my slightest movement. Have we been caught and tied down to the things of this world or are we focused on Christ, ready to take wing at the moment he moves? Snake wits and doves eyes. It is the only way to survive as sheep among wolves.
Respond:
THE RIVER WALK 
This was a great read Sir. I believe sometimes we are tied down to this world. I do know, however, we can break the chains that bind us. Thanks for sharing this.
Dove eyes, I have got it down to a pat
I believe
Snakes wits, I am so not sure
The wolves keep surprising me time and again
Not two surprised anyways because the flesh
will always war against the Spirit.
It is the way it is!
And I choose to walk in the Spirit always!
What a neat structure for a devotional blog. I love that you hand-pick a response worship song for each post.
(Thanks for visiting http://haywireproductions.wordpress.com . I’m inspired by your work on The River Walk.)
Reblogged this on Angel Fish Blog and commented:
Amen!!! and wow such a beautiful song.
How beautiful, thanks for sharing- what you say is true 😀 God bless
Your openness lends value to souls
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
Reading this I got tied up with one simple thought about pigeons: why didn’t BJ just put some upturned tacks through a bit of wood outside the window – and they would have found somewhere else to sit and chat? 🙂
Excellent read, sir. Pigeons can become annoying indeed. But like you, I have also found some good lessons in their annoying habits. Nature is so full of good examples!
Beautifully written Sir!
I do have similar experiences with the pigeons in the mornings. But I let them be there. Yes it gets irritating at times, but thinking from their POV, with the massive deforestation in the cities, they are bound to find bliss on window sills only! At times, you do start to sympathize with them.
Wow, I never considered that God already told us we would be amongst people whose intent is to ruin us. I know “the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy,” but the perspective you presented with the sheep-vs-snake verse makes it hit home. Great read!
Love Misty Edwards! Great analogy btw.