A Lesson From an Albatross

Exodus 20:4 (NIV)

You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.

In 1991, the Japanese government sought a way to attract endangered albatrosses to the small Izu islands to breed and reproduce. The Yamashina Institute of Ornithology came up with the idea of placing some 100 wooden albatross decoys in the water to help attract the birds to the islands that are some 375 miles south of Tokyo.

The project for the most part worked well and the endangered birds have landed on the islands and breeding has increased.

But for Deko, a 5-year-old albatross, the experiment went awry. For two years he has been trying to woo what he believes to be the love of his life. He's built her fancy nests, fought off rival suitors, and spent countless days standing faithfully by her side. But his one-and-only is a man-made decoy -- and despite the blank stare and wooden personality, he didn't catch on.

Institute researcher Fumio Sato worries that Deko's infatuation with the decoy is keeping him from meeting a mate. "He seems to have no desire to date real birds," Sato observed.

The lesson we can learn from the albatross is too often people begin loving and idolizing things instead of having a relationship with the real God.

Dear Lord, thank You that you want to have a relationship with us. We pray that we would seek to know You more every day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.