Tim

5 Lessons From My Chickens

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I enjoy chickens. This admission may sound odd, but it is true. I love the brilliant colors of their plumage. I like to listen to the chickens call to each other and “chat” among themselves. The brilliant orange-yellow of the yokes of eggs laid by free-range chickens is incomparable. Over the years that I have had chickens, I have learned about them and from them. Yes, I said that I have learned from my chickens. Here are five lessons I have learned.

Lesson 1. Never stop scratching and pecking

The chickens scatter across the yard after being released from the coop in the morning. They all begin their day’s work of scratching and pecking. I know that they are looking for seeds, insects, and even choice pieces of tender grass. They rest very little during the day. They scratch and peck at whatever they see.

A chicken’s persistence is inspiring. It reminds me not to give up easily. I cannot help but apply what I see with the chickens to my life. How persistent have I been in pursuing the things I consider essential? How many dreams have I disqualified because I was unwilling to keep scratching and pecking until I accomplished the goal?

When we have the chickens patrolling the yard, the number of bugs that get into the house drops dramatically. I find that worthwhile dreams and ambitions tend to help fill a need that others have. The chickens are only looking for lunch when they eat the bugs around the house, but they fulfill my desire to have an insect free house.

Chickens do not care what others think when they are on the trail of a juicy bug. I have watch hens zigzag across the lawn in pursuit of a grasshopper. The chase only ends when the grasshopper becomes lunch. An unfamiliar observer may think the chicken has become ill, watching its wandering path, but the hen is focused and does not care.

Every one cares to some extend what others think about them and their ambitions. This caring helps us to shape our responses and to understand the needs around us. Through this consideration, we can then channel our focus to help us reach our goal. While we must care about others, we cannot allow their dream-crushing comments to dissuade us from our goals.

Lesson 2. Test everything to see if it is worthwhile

I have watched chickens peck large rocks, pieces of angle iron, cars, pieces of glass, and even my shoes. Many times I have thought what is wrong with that bird? Doesn’t she know that she cannot eat that? Or doesn’t she see that the item is too big to swallow? My observations indicate that chickens are rather curious. They peck at everything the way we might reach out and touch things. (Or at least we did before this pandemic) The chickens are testing everything they strike with their beak.

We learn by trial and error. I prefer to observe and learn from the trial and error of others, but I find that I still make many mistakes. The key to trial and error learning is to understand that just because you made an error does not mean that you quit. It merely means that you make adjustments and try again. The perfectionist in me prefers perfection from the beginning, but that expectation is not reality.

Through testing, we find out whether the object tested is worthwhile or not. We find out if our expectations are realistic or not. Many times we are surprised at what we find.

I was excited when I went to college. I figured that when I finished college, I would have all the answers. I graduated from college and was disappointed to find that I had more questions and fewer answers than when I had begun. Testing my expectations, I recognized that my expectations were misplaced. The college had taught me to think critically, not to have all the answers.

Lesson 3. Watch out for each other

If a rooster finds food, he will immediately call the hens. Any chicken that spots a predator will call out a warning to the rest of the flock. The chickens watch out for each other.

Watching out for each other usually is nothing more than being a considerate, responsible person. It is vital to understand that you can try to advise or warn, but it is up to the other person to heed. If the chickens do not heed the warning that a predator is near, they will become lunch.

Lesson 4. Even deep wounds can heal

One day I went to the chicken coop and found that the hens had been fighting. Two hens were severely injured. One injured hen had a significant hole in the muscle on her hip, and the other was missing the skin on the top of her skull. I did not think that either of them would survive. I made sure their wounds were clean and put them in a special isolation pen. This isolation area provided the hens with the ability to rest without fear of being attacked. I was surprised and pleased to see the first hen hobbling around within a few days. She continued to heal and eventually regrew the skin and feathers covering the wounded area. The second hen also regrew the skin and feathers on her head. Ultimately, I was able to release them back to the general flock, where they were accepted this time without a problem.

Receiving wounds from those we come into contact with is part of being human. It is how we tend those wounds that will determine how well we recover. Some people need to talk through what has happened to them. I find that I need a time of quiet rest to sort out what has happened. During the time the chickens were recovering, I kept checking on them and provided food and water for them. Recovery from wounds takes time. This fact does not mean that we withdraw from what feeds our spirit. Instead, it means that we turn to God and look for Him to sustain us while we heal. We are to live close to Him, right in His shadow. Psalm 91 speaks of living in God’s shadow of being protected and covered by Him. We must live close to God to receive these things.

Lesson 5. Find shelter in the shadows

My chickens have several reasons for looking for shaded areas. The summer heat will drive them to the shadows. When there is a flying predator, like a hawk, or an eagle, the shaded area under the porch, the sizable wild rose bush, or the pine tree is prime real estate. Hens also like dark, well-protected places when they lay their eggs. Anyone who has ever watched as a hen produces an egg knows that she is not resting during the process.

God’s shadow is not just for recovery of wounds, but it is also a place to go for rest and protection in the difficult times of life.

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What if … ?

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I am fascinated by the questions of children. What if the house were upside down? What would it look like with the roof on the ground and the basement above the living area? What if we could walk up the wall and across the ceiling? These were questions that captured my mind as a child. These questions seem silly now that I am an adult, but my mind has not stopped asking the question, “What if… .?

Children’s creative and passionate belief is fascinating. They do not believe in limitations. Children can imagine things that adults consider ridiculous and implausible. This ability to imagine so vividly seems to be because they have not yet learned to call things impossible. They believe that they can do anything. As an adult, I tend to view the world as a place of guardrails and impossibilities. I think that this difference is in part because adults have stopped asking the question, “What if?”

Do you ever think about the question, “What if… .?” The list of things that can go after the “if” is endless. I guess I like to enquire. Thorough consideration causes me to discover what I believe. I begin to analyze if my beliefs are platitudes or action steps.

This examination helps us to see the areas where our understanding is lacking. Asking, “What if … .?” helps us consider possibilities we would otherwise ignore. Considering these possibilities enables us to plan for the future. The answers we come to empower us to have a vision, to plan, and to take steps toward accomplishing our goals.

During this time of reduced social interaction, I ask, “What if I focused on improving my skills in another language? What if I worked on being healthy physically, mentally, and spiritually? What if I worked on improving my blogging? How would my life change?

If I viewed my blog as a ministry to others, how would that change my writing? If I work on living further in God’s shadow than I ever have before, how would that change the way I live my life?

The question, “What if?’ opens up all kinds of possibilities for me. What if I acted like I believed what I claim to believe?

Acting on the answer you arrive at after asking the question can be scary. Making the changes that your “What if?” questioning reveals are needed may be a lot of work.

The birth of this blog was the result of asking, “What if?” I began asking questions like, “What if I could write a successful blog how would that change things for me?”, “What if people want to read what I write?” and “What if it is not crazy to think I have something other people want?”

I find that asking, “What if?” is a great way to start problem-solving. Once my wife and I were babysitting a two-year-old boy. He stubbornly determined that he would not nap. We tried everything, we rocked him, we read a story, made sure he was clean, laid him down, but nothing was working. I was getting desperate. Finally, I thought, “What if I trick him into going to sleep?” I suggested to him that he and I play a game called, “Who can keep their eyes closed the longest.” He willingly participated, and shortly he was sound asleep.

Personal interactions can also benefit from the use of “What if?” I was in my early twenties when I became the pastor of a church. Being young, recently out of college, and tasked with leading this church, I felt the need to be able to give answers. One day one of my parishioners came to see me about a problem they were facing. Fortunately, that day my “what if” thoughts activated, and I thought, “What if I just listened instead of trying to solve the problem or defend the church?” I listened. I learned about the individual and quickly realized this person needed me to hear them more than they needed me to give them an answer or take action.

I have thought a lot about this, “What if?” question as it affects me as a follower of Jesus Christ. I guess the question is, “What would happen if I lived like I genuinely believed all the teachings of Jesus Christ? How would my life change? What if the change in me inspired change in those around me? These questions tend to become very personal and yet very useful for inspiring change in my actions.

What would happen if we followed Jesus’ teaching in Mark 12:29-31? The instruction that tells us the most important commandment is to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. What if we followed what Jesus says is the second most important commandment to love your neighbor as yourself? What would happen if we dedicated ourselves to loving God intensely? What if we let that love for God show through our actions? It seems that the natural outflow would be to show respect to our neighbors. Jesus taught that anyone in need is our neighbor. How would that “love in action” change our neighbor’s perception of us?

What would happen if we believed and acted on Jesus’ teaching to seek first the kingdom of God? (Matt. 6) From the time we were small children, most of us understood that the goal in life is to build a “kingdom” for ourselves and our family. We believed our primary goal in life was to own as many creature comforts as possible and to own as many financial assets as possible. Unfortunately, in this belief system, spiritual health is usually a long way down the list of goals if it is there at all.

What would happen if we let Christ control our lives, and we encouraged others to live in God’s shadow?

What if we believed enough to act? What if we behaved like we consider Jesus’ teachings are more than platitudes? What would happen if we stopped putting God in a box that fits our lifestyle? What if we just obeyed fully and then stepped back and let God act? It seems that many times we fail to comply because we do not believe. We do not fully trust God. It is a typical human struggle to have difficulty trusting what we cannot see. As I read the Bible, I find that when individuals trusted and obeyed, God moved in titanic proportions. I find myself asking, “If I believed as they did, and I behaved as I believed, what would happen? How explosive would the growth of God’s kingdom be? How close would it help me to live in His shadow?”

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Discovering Rest

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“But, I’m not tired!” I said in between yawns as I tried to convince my mother that I did not need a nap. I was around five years old, and mom told me that I had to take a nap. Resting seemed such a waste of time, and my playing was so engaging. I could have so much more time for friends and my play projects if my mom did not insist on naps. She did not understand.

Today, I wish someone would tell me it is time to take a nap. The stresses of life, the never-ending to-do list, and the expectations of those around me are exhausting. Sometimes the problems press in so close that I lose the ability to see the big picture. Life turns into a perpetual grind, and I realize it is time to step back, take care of myself, and put things back into perspective.

Living in the Rocky Mountains, I continuously have the opportunity to put into practice the words of Psalm 121:1-2, “I will lift up my eyes unto the hills — From whence cometh my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.” (NKJV) The mountains around me reveal the majesty of the creation surrounding me and the power of the Creator.

There seem to be three general areas of rest, physical rest, mental rest, and spiritual rest. Obtaining the correct type and amount of rest in each sphere is essential for efficient functioning.

We are all familiar with sleep as rest. There comes that point when we can no longer function until we spend time sleeping. Sleep provides us with physical rest. The physical rest gives us the strength to carry out whatever tasks we need to do each day. Sometimes physical rest will open the way for us to obtain mental and spiritual rest.

Helping my children understand when they are tired can be difficult. Many times I have told one of my children to get some sleep, and we will discuss the matter in the morning. Their tired, sleepy state makes it almost impossible for them to understand what I am trying to explain to them. The next morning when they are well-rested, they will usually be able to grasp what I am saying.

Some would call the second type of rest, self-care. I have found that time spent in the forest is refreshing for my mind. While the hike up the mountain may be physically tiring, the mental renewal makes it well worth the effort. Climbing mountains is not what everyone prefers; therefore, self-care will vary from person to person. One person will prefer the beach, another will desire the plains, and I love the mountains. Maybe you prefer a quiet sunset or perhaps some handcraft. The point of self-care is to allow mental renewal. This renewal of the mind enables the proper perspective and correct positioning of priorities.

I believe that it is the third type of rest that Jesus is speaking of in Matthew 11:28 when He offers rest to those who are weary and have many burdens. Jesus seems to be speaking of spiritual rest. I have noticed that when we are spiritually ill at ease and unrested, we seem to have increased difficulty obtaining the other types of rest as well. When we have placed our faith and trust in God, He provides that rest for our spirit that enables our minds to be renewed in periods of self-care and helps us to obtain physical rest when we sleep.

These types of rest are intertwined and often rely on each other for the others to happen. 1 Kings 19 gives us an example of this interdependence of the kinds of rest. This chapter contains the story of Elijah as he flees from Queen Jezebel. In the preceding section, Elijah had shown his nation God’s incredible power and ability to answer prayer. The Queen had threatened to kill him because of the activities of the day. Elijah hurriedly left the area, and the physical demands of the previous chapter and his rapid evacuation depleted his physical reserves. In his exhausted state, he requested that God would allow him to die. Instead, God allowed him to fall asleep under a juniper tree. After Elijah slept for a while, God sent an angel to awaken him, give him food to eat, and water to drink. Then God allowed him to go back to sleep. It was after this physical rest that God gave him the assignment of going to a place called Horeb. God knew that Elijah was so exhausted that he had to have physical rest to enable him to receive mental and spiritual rest. It was this physical rest that enabled Elijah to go to where he could obtain the mental and spiritual rest that he needed so that he could continue his work.

I have served as a pastor and know that sometimes the most spiritual activity we can do is to get physical rest. Resting can put us in a position to receive that mental and spiritual renewal we need. I have difficulty resting when I can see so many things that are still uncompleted. I see so many unfilled positions, yet I must trust God to carry out His plan.

Many years ago, I was the pastor of a church and facing all the stresses that a pastor faces typically. I was also trying to complete some improvements to the property that the church and parsonage were on. One of those improvements included hand digging a ditch to put in an electrical conduit. While digging the trench, I began to feel unwell physically. I ended up hospitalized for a day or two.

An older gentleman was my roommate in the hospital. We were conversing one day, and he found out what had caused my hospital stay. He looked at me and gave me the following advice, “If God wants that ditch dug, He will get it dug without you.” This simple advice helped me realize that I did not have to do everything. I did not have to be a workaholic to accomplish God’s plan. I am unable to force God’s plan to happen, yet if it is God’s plan, nothing can prevent it from happening. God wants me to rest in Him.

Failure to allow myself to rest is an indirect way of saying that I do not trust God. It indicates I do not believe He can control the events and outcomes in my life. Resting in God’s shadow is not a matter that I refuse to take any action or refuse to work. Instead, it is that I rest in God’s shadow awaiting instruction from Him and then take action that will help me to continue to live in His shadow. Living in God’s shadow enables us to rest.

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Perception or Reality?

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“Are we almost there yet?” Every parent has heard this question at one point or another. Even when a trip has just started, this question will arise. The child asking has no concept of how long the trip will be. Therefore their perspective is that the car ride should soon end. Five minutes is a lifetime to a three-year-old. If the car trip lasts longer than that, they believe that the journey is never-ending.

As adults, we understand how long the trip is and what landmarks and milestones we are passing. We see progress because we know more than the small, anxious child in the backseat.

Perception is tricky. Our culture, our past experiences, and even our prejudices influence our understanding of things around us. These influencing agents will often shape the basis of our reasoning without us being aware of it. Our perceptions help to form our thoughts, and our thoughts precipitate our actions. For this reason, we must make sure we are taking a long-term look at reality.

I remember a discussion I had with a pastor. He asked me about some point of theology, and I gave him my answer. He stated that he disagreed with me. He then laid out his case for his position. I listened and realized that he was making the same point I had made. The difference was that he was using different words and phrases. Due to his cultural background, he used certain words to express specific thoughts, and due to my cultural history, I stated the same ideas with different terms. Because of the difference in word choice, he perceived that I disagreed with him.

Where we are when we view something affects how we will see it. We can read a scripture verse one time, and it will encourage us in our situation. In a different setting, the same verse will give us support in a different manner.

I have a chicken coop roof that has two colors of roofing on it. The north side has silver tin roofing. The south side has white metal roofing. My neighbors on the south would declare the building has a white roof. The neighbors on the north would argue that the building has a silver roof. Each person would be correct, but their point of perspective makes a difference in what they see.

The author of Psalm 139:16 speaks of God seeing our entire life at once. We must trust God as He guides us because He can see our whole life journey at one time. God’s infinite knowledge gives Him a complete understanding of our lives. We tend to fixate on the moment, but God sees the entirety of our life. We must remember that we can only see a limited portion of our lifetime at once.

My perspective changes if I hike to the top of a mountain. When I am in the valley, I can see the mountain. At the top of the peak, I can see many ranges of mountains and even into the next state. Even with a mountaintop view, my perspective of the Rocky Mountains, as a whole chain, is limited. The Rocky Mountains stretch from Alaska down through Canada, the lower 48 states, and beyond. The most I can see is 100 miles from my mountaintop vantage point. I think I can see a lot, but a map tells me I see very little. Sometimes we get caught up in circumstances of the moment our perception changes, and we stop seeing the big picture.

Even when I can see mountain ranges for many miles, I cannot see into every valley. My perception of what I see is limited. I cannot tell if the valleys have sunlight pastures or if they are full of cliffs and rockslides. The only thing I am sure of is that there will be times of breath-taking views and easy walking and other times of forcing myself to take one more step if I plan to hike to the current horizon.

We must be careful with our perceptions of others because we do not know what valleys they have been through or what rough terrain they are currently walking.

Just because you think you perceive something does not mean that it is true. You may not have all the facts. You may have failed to figure in a cultural difference, or you may have misread the other person’s motive or attitude.

My father used to describe people who formed opinions without full information, with this one-liner, “They sprained their opinion by jumping to conclusions.” Our perceptions affect how we view life, the people around us, and the conclusions we make.

God does not have limitations like humans do. Scripture tells us he knows the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12) He sees our entire plan and what the actual results will be before the implementation of our strategy. He knows if we intend to seek His kingdom or to seek our kingdom. He knows our motives, attitudes, and reasoning.

Most of the time, we base our assumptions on our current situation. We fail to take into account the past and the possibility of change occurring in the future. Our perception in the hard times tends toward reality without context.

Perhaps some of the best advice I have ever received was from friends older than I am. The recommendation came during an exceptionally severe storm of life I was facing. It was merely, “This storm won’t last forever.” Based on my perspective in the middle of the gale, it seemed like the storm would never end. My survival seemed uncertain. I felt like I would never see bright sunny days again. My fixation on the situation gave me a faulty perspective. My friends had been through the storms of life and had a better understanding. They knew that, while stormy times happen throughout life, each storm eventually ends.

Our all-knowing God invites us to live in His shadow and to allow Him to help us put our perceptions in a proper perspective.

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Difficult Obedience

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My children love scavenger hunts. They excitedly read each hint and go in search of the next clue based on the instructions they have just received. It is interesting to watch them puzzle over the last tip they have discovered and then go searching for the next tidbit of information.

Understanding the meaning of the clue is essential, but following the instructions is critical. Many times if they are having trouble, it will be because they have not thoroughly read the instructions or are not following the instructions.

I would love to say that failure to follow instruction is a problem limited to children. I cannot. Failure to follow directions has been a problem as long as humans have been on the earth. Adam and Eve had difficulty following instructions and look at the mess that resulted and perpetuated ever since.

Moses is known as a great leader of his people, beginning in the book of Exodus. Yet, even he struggled with obedience. Moses was tending sheep when a bush burst into flame. Then a voice tells him to remove his shoes. God’s voice continues to give him instructions as to what he is to do. Yet he finds the strength to object to directions from God.

Moses used excuses to avoid obedience. He said things like; I am not influential enough. They will not believe that I have the authority I claim. I am not eloquent. What if they will not listen to me?

God acknowledged Moses’ objections but still said, “Go.” Moses tried one last time to avoid obeying by saying, Thanks, but You need someone else. (see Exodus 3 – 4) I shake my head in disbelief at Moses’ actions. Then I stop and hang my head because I realize I have also voiced objections to instructions from God.

During 2012 God began to speak to me about starting a Spanish language church service for the Latin Americans in a nearby city. My side of the conversation sounded something like this.

“That is a great idea, God, but You have the wrong person. I don’t speak Spanish. I am unfamiliar with Latin American culture, and I don’t know where to find enough people to start a service. Good thought. Thanks for thinking of me, but you have the wrong person.”

Similar to the way God spoke to Moses, the answer I received was, “I know all that, and I still am choosing you.”

I am no Moses, but it is interesting that with all the years between when he lived and the present day that the excuses are still basically the same. Humans tend to want to stay where they are comfortable and in control. I knew that to obey meant learning a new language, going into unknown territory, learning new cultural customs, and quite possibly some unfamiliar food. I was to lead a group, and I didn’t even know where I was going.

I found that if I just held God’s hand, He would guide me a step at a time. God provided people to help me who were fluent in Spanish and were familiar with the culture and customs. Being obedient to God, I served as pastor to that group for a little over two years. I met people in the community from many countries throughout Central and South America. They were people who were mostly invisible to most residents of the city. They ranged from cleaners to medical professionals, but they all had a desire to hear a church service in their native language. I would have never met them if I had not obeyed.

I wish I could say that I have always obeyed without question since then, but I cannot. I am still human, and I tend to question what I do not understand. I tend to become anxious when I cannot see the entire path from where I am to where it reaches the goal. I worry about the results; will they be good enough? Perhaps what God is trying to teach me is to trust Him. God wants me to believe Him so much that I obey, confident that He has a plan. He is in charge of the results.

Obedience usually is not a sudden jump into the unknown. When Moses received instruction to lead the people out of bondage, he already knew the people. He had grown up in the palace, so he knew the proper protocol. Yet, to him, his compliance still seemed risky because the Pharaoh might execute him.

Obedience would not be as hard if there were no unknowns. It is the unknown that makes us hesitate and question.

The first mission trip I ever went on was an exercise in faith and obedience. I had not traveled by air for many years and was very worried about all the new security at the airports. I had never been to a country where I did not understand the language, and I had not been through customs before. (Yes, I am still working on fully obeying 1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” NIV)

Going on the trip was an act of obedience and a step of faith. God supplied the funds by providing me with more work than usual and made my flights and trip through customs uneventful.

The team ended up being myself and one other person working with the onsite missionary. We helped a church pour concrete beams in preparation to expand their building and helped to build beds for a training center. My obedience left my heart open for the refreshing from God that I received while on this trip.

Many times God asks for our obedience to help us be in the position to receive bountiful gifts from Him. These gifts come in many forms like comfort, wisdom, supplied needs, renewal of our spirit, and more. Perhaps the greatest blessing that we reap from obeying God’s instruction is the ability to live in His Shadow. (Psalm 91:1)

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