Empty Feeders

I love this time of the year. We open the windows and allow the fresh air to relpace the months of winter we've endured. One of my favorite things about this time of year is the birds. Around five o'clock each morning I can hear them outside the window telling me it's time to get up.

I have several bird feeders hanging around my house. Humming bird feeders, suet cages, finch feeders and a couple of 'every day, whatever kind of bird shows up' feeders. Unfortunatley, because I've been so busy, (or lazy), all my feeders are empty. And one interesting thing about birds; they won't come to empty feeders!

I have some really nice bird feeders too! One is round with a nice, wide shelf for them to rest on. Another is two story with a roof where they could sit out of the rain. But if there is no food in them, no matter how nice they look or how functional they are, the birds won't come.

Oh, they might stop by for a day or so when the feeders first run out, but then they are gone. But as soon as I fill them up again, within a day there are birds galore! Another interesting thing about birds; they are always hungry.

Birds aren't much different than people. People are always hungry. And not just food for the body, but food for the soul. I've met very few people in my life who are not needing something in their lives. They are physically ill, emotionally ill, spiritually ill. Some need food for their marriage. Some need food to raise their children. Some need to be told they are worth something. Some need to hear that there is hope in their world of dispair. Some need answers to deep and troubling questions.

These are the people who stop by our churches. They are hungry and looking to see if they can be fed here. Sometimes they want the preacher to feed them. Sometimes just a smile or a hug can be food enough for that day. For some just the company of friendly, caring people will feed them for a while.

What we must always make sure, though, is that they never show up and find an empty feeder. If they do, they will go away hungry, and may never return. It's up to you and me to make sure our own feeders stay full. This means we must go to the food source daily and be filled.

Jesus said to Peter, "Feed my sheep." "Tend my sheep." "Feed my sheep." Do you think it is important to our Lord that we keep our feeders full?

Think about it!