Are Your Eyes on the Master?

1 Chronicles 16:11 (New International Version)

Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.

I took my wife on a date the other day to see “We Bought a Zoo” it was entertaining and enjoyable. The movie reminded me of a story I once read.

Living in a domestic zoo can be an exciting experience, especially when a Sun Conure is added to the menagerie. The bird’s vibrant orange breast, bright yellow wings, and red cheek patches make her by far the prettiest bird we own.

Besides being beautiful, a Sun Conure is also a talented entertainer. Ours is no exception. She hangs upside down from one foot, she sleeps on her back, she plays dead, she crawls down our clothing and to eat our T-Shirts and buttons, she even feeds the dog! Every morning when she receives her dish of vegetables, she waits until our Golden Retriever puppy is paying attention, and then she pitches carrots and peas to the floor in front of her. She literally keeps us in stitches!

She is also a particularly affectionate bird. She loves to give kisses and preen hair—even the puppy’s! Her all time favorite pastime is to be caressed—under her wings, her feet, her tail—literally everywhere! All of this affection, however, is only poured out upon one individual in our home: My husband. She tolerates the rest of us if he’s not around, but the change that comes over her when he gets home from school is beautiful to see.

If this little piece of joy has one tiny negative traits, it is definitely her voice! Many of the smaller members of the parrot family make beautiful, quiet sounds, and she can too. But her specialty is a window-rattle, ear piercing: SQUAWK!!!!! She squawks when she’s hungry. She squawks when she’s bored. She squawks when she wants attention. She squawks when she wants to be left alone. She squawks when the other birds chirp. But mostly, she squawks when she can’t see my husband!

The other day, my boys and I gathered the birds for story time. All of our feathered friends enjoy this ritual, for besides sharing stories and prayers, we also share crackers! But for some reason Squawky wasn’t happy. She refused her cracker and squawked until she finally flew away. Because her wings are clipped, she soon crashed; but this didn’t deter her in the least! She proceeded to march purposefully across the floor—directly to my husband’s feet. We all thought she would climb his pant leg, but she didn’t. As soon as she had rubbed her head against his slipper, she marched back and climbed onto my shoulder to position herself where she could see my husband. Then she squawked for her cracker!

Spoiled? Definitely! But shouldn’t we all be the same? Shouldn’t being with our Master become the goal of each and every person? Shouldn’t our number 1 ambition be to seek His face? Shouldn’t we, too, “squawk” when something blocks our view of our Lord and Savior?

The next time something seems to be standing between you and Jesus, remember Squawky. Fly. Walk. Squawk. Do whatever you have to do to get your eyes fixed back on Jesus!

Dear Lord as we read this story today about Squawky, we pray that we would keep our eyes on you just like he kept his eyes on his master. In Jesus’ name, Amen.