Migratory Instinct to Obey

Acts 17:28 (NIV)

‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.

One of nature's greatest sights is the hundreds and thousands of birds gathering in autumn for their winter migration. Another of nature's great marvels is how they reach their destination.

One of the best known of the migratory birds is the swallow. Leaving southern Africa at the end of the southern summer, it flies to northern Europe, where it raises two or three broods and stays until autumn. Like its relative, the house martin, it is well suited to long-distance flight, because of its slim, streamlined body and curved, narrow wings. The house martin, like other birds migrating over the sea, often hitches a ride and well-earned rest on passing ships.

How they find their way

In large flocks, it is reasonable to assume that experienced adult birds guide and teach the young on their first migrations. Knowledge is passed from generation to generation, just as with human beings. However, some birds migrate singly, and so possess an instinct, giving them direction.

God's creatures -- both human beings and animals -- have always used His other created wonders such as the sun, moon, and stars in navigation and travel.

Birds also seem to use the earth's magnetic field along with some sort of built-in magnetic compass, enabling them to find their direction. As well, they may recognize familiar landmarks to find their way, which is essential to their survival. In the same way, moving on in development and right direction with God is essential to us as God's children.

God always desires us to move on with Him, and we have the wondrous thermals of the Holy Spirit to give us directions in every way we should go.

As we respond in obedience to God's moves, we will bear much fruit in our lives for His purposes and for His glory and honor here on earth.

Dear Lord, help us develop the migratory instinct to obey Your commands and promptings to move on with You wherever You lead us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.