Every night this winter while leaving work, I have been entertained by starlings engaging in their nightly dancing ritual. It is a fascinating phenomenon, watching these dark birds gather together by the thousands. When approached by a predator, normally a falcon, just one bird can shift the movement of the entire flock. The pattern of movement within this murmuration is gorgeous, graceful, and as it turns out - - necessary for their survival. Studies have been done to analyze how a tiny shift from just one bird can cause the entire group of birds to follow. Scientific mystery follows these birds but one thing is clear: by joining together, they experience community and protection. As onlookers, we have the opportunity to view one of nature's most gorgeous sky ballets.
It is amazing that hundreds of these birds can be resting in a tree or on a power line, and then when sensing the threat of a nearby falcon, lift off into the air and commence a protective dance. The starlings are always on guard - - always prepared to outwit their predator.
As human beings, we are occasionally approached by a predator -- a nemesis -- someone who aggravates us - - gets under our skin - - or worse, tries to destroy us. Lord knows there are several people in my own life that just never seem to stop their pursuit of destruction. None of us is immune to dealing with those type of people from time to time. I pray for them.
But there is a much greater predator that concerns me. He is the great tempter - - the one who knows our weaknesses - - and capitalizes on them. The older I get, and the more joy and sorrow I experience, the more I believe the apostle Paul was completely accurate in stating that, "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
My weaknesses have changed and evolved over the years as circumstances have changed. It used to be that I was tempted by the things of this world: acquiring worldly possessions, gaining attention, and thoughts of a better life. I would wish for a bigger, better decorated house. Or I would read romance novels or watch television, allowing my mind to create thoughts of a more romantic life than what I was experiencing in my prior relationship. Those things have harmed me in the past. They have separated me from God. But rarely do thoughts like that enter my mind or heart anymore. I just don't care about worldly possessions very much, probably because losing what you used to have financially can make you appreciate just being able to buy groceries or pay the power bill. I am also so over the top in love in my marriage that my mind wandering toward anyone other than my husband doesn't even enter the picture. I am grateful for that.
However, because our spiritual enemy knows my heart and intentions, he has now become much craftier. Where he used to place a handsome man in front of me to think about, he now knows I am only going to see Jonathan's face. He doesn't place cute little knick knacks for the house or sparkly jewelry in front of my eyes either, because he knows I just want to have enough money to buy juice boxes for Bobby and Rachel's school lunches.
Instead, the enemy inserts worry, fear, discouragement, and anxiety into my thoughts. I find myself saying "well what if X happens," or "what if this person does Y and that leads to Z." What if. What if. What if. It really seems too like the closer I get to God and the more I serve Him, the more that pesky devil attacks me!
Fortunately though, watching these starlings outside after work has taught me a thing or two about avoiding a predator. First, the starlings are always expecting the falcon to attack. I have watched these birds gather on the power lines near my office and in an instant - - as soon as the predator is approaching - - take off. Within a few seconds they go from sitting on the wire to starting their synchronized protective dance. One of the biggest mistakes I make in my Christian walk is to keep sitting - - wallowing in my feelings - - when the spiritual attack is imminent. The starlings don't hesitate. They sense the falcon: they flee and join with others to create a cohesive protective unit. And I should do the same.
Once the starlings have avoided the initial predatory attack, they find it necessary to continuously shift their pattern in the air. As the predator attempts an attack from behind, beside, or above them, they are highly successful in shifting. How often do you see starlings bumping into each other and crashing to the ground as they go about this dance in the sky? Never. They are so successful in strategically adjusting, it is unlikely the falcon is going to be successful in catching its prey. Similarly, as spiritual attacks come, I too need to be smart. If the enemy is putting thoughts of dread or fear into my head, I need to immediately shift my thinking. Waiting to flee is to put myself in spiritual danger. Instead of dwelling in that dangerous place, I need to cling to, and verbally proclaim, the Word of God. I need to shift my thoughts to the truth and tell the devil to get lost.
Because the truth is I am much more powerful than a starling. The devil has absolutely no right to be swarming around my head. He has already been defeated by Christ, and Christ dwells within me. The enemy can do nothing to me outside of the will of God. True, bad things happen. Obstacles I never thought possible face me every single day. But by learning to shift away from the predator like the starlings do - - to join together with others with the same goals - - perhaps I too can commence a gorgeous and graceful protective dance.
A look at starlings in action.
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