Father today has been a mixed day. Some portions have been comfortable and the norm. Other portions have been out of the ordinary and difficult, to say the least. Despite “me”, work through everything. May Your will and presence saturate it all. Amen.
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My last name is Fowler and to my understanding, the first Fowlers were kings of Germanic peoples during the medieval period, their name derived from the fact that they hunted with birds. A term of more modern use is falconry. Hawks and falcons are both used in this sport of old.
I don’t think everyone notices, but hawks are everywhere. We have a mating pair of Northern Harrier Hawks that reside on our lot, and I have the opportunity to see them perched or flying on a regular basis. Also, it seems no matter where I go, I see all manner of hawks and their cousins, falcons – perched on telephone wires, atop fence posts, or sitting patiently in trees. And they wait…watching for their next meal most likely. But regardless, as I said they are everywhere!
I imagine you’ve heard the phrase “watch like a hawk” and as I saw a hawk on my morning route it made me think of God. And that made me think of something that I spoke in prayer in our services this past Sunday.
As a part of our journey in Christ, we understand that God never leaves us or forsakes us. He is with us at all times. And if we really think about it, He watches us closer than even a hawk would. What comes to my mind in prayer is that we realize the fact of his presence but what we need to do much more regularly is to acknowledge His presence.
As I have come to see hawks on a pretty regular basis, I am sure I miss many of them. We must come to see God in all areas of our lives. It is easy to forget He is there. It’s easy to ignore that still small voice that warns of danger – a voice that says, “Don’t go there.” “Don’t watch that.” “Don’t dwell on that thought.” “Don’t say what you are thinking.” “Don’t act on what you’re thinking.” And on it goes…
God is always there, everywhere we turn, but far too often we don’t see Him or we don’t hear Him. And it is no fault of His, but the guilt lies with us and us alone.
“The Lord your God is in your midst,
A Warrior who saves.
He will rejoice over you with joy;
He will be quiet in His love [making no mention of your past sins],
He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.” Zephaniah 3:17 AMP (emphasis mine)
Lord Jesus, help us, and as the old hymn goes.
Open my eyes, that I may see
Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me…
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my eyes, illumine me,
Spirit divine!
Open my ears, that I may hear
Voices of truth Thou sendest clear…
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my ears, illumine me,
Spirit divine!
Words & Music: Clara H. Scott, 1895
Amen.
Feb 28th, 2022, Mon, 7:58 pm
