the tale of the american coot

i run often and i run by the bay that i live near. oftentimes, (and i realize this is not exclusive to my running route along the beach) there are big flocks of american coot along the beach - as pictured below.
much like the little group pictured above. this particular day, it was not something special about the coots that caught my attention, but instead what happened to them. as i ran by a grown man on a beach cruiser was riding ahead of me, he swerved off of the baywalk path and straight into the middle of the coots. of course, this scared the flock of about 100 coots and they began to take flight. after landing safely in the water the birds gathered in peace and the rider turned back to the sidewalk.

why would this be something to blog about? the question actually is, who are you influencing? just a flock of coots that are scared of people anyway? jesus was not influencing the birds. he was influencing people, children, beings of importance and influence.

“Let the children come to me; do not hinder them.” . . . And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. -Mark 10:14-16

scaring birds does not make them any more influential on other birds. it just makes them all fly away and all land together, just as they did prior to knowing your effect on their lives. are you wasting your time influencing birds? or are you investing yourself in a longer lasting being of importance? it doesn't have to be children... i just happen to have a heart for their sweet little selves. but jesus did not just train children in Him, he also invested much in the disciples, in women, in the poor and meek, in people.

matthew goes on the talk about how the children not only realize the influence of jesus on their lives, but the children also proclaim it for all to hear.

The chief priests and the scribes saw . . . the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” -Matthew 21:15

who would proclaim your praises? and just as importantly, whose praises do you spend your time proclaiming? just like all of His angels singing praise of their heavenly host.

Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his heavenly hosts. -Psalm 148:2

or like the people of jerusalem praising jesus as he rode into their small town atop his donkey.

Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest! -Matthew 21:9

remember throughout the course of your day that you are influencing people and they will one day sing your praises, so be sure to give them a praise to sing. don't look for the flock of birds that are naturally wired to be fearful of your big bad self. also, remember there are people in your life who are working to be worthy of your praise. make sure it is something earned and you aren't just being a part of the flock of coots flying quickly from a straggling bike rider.

song of the day:
"hosanna" - hillsong united.
it only seems fitting.

"hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest."