One day last week I saw hundreds of birds in the field across the street. Within seconds, they moved in unison like a school of fish, flying up and over to a new destination. I watched in amazement.
For days I studied the pictures I took fascinated by the synchronization. Each bird knew when to leave, at what precise moment to leave, and then took off. Being in sync meant they clearly picked up their cue from the next one. It happened so fast, it looked magical.
I thought about how life works following God. When I wait in stillness for His direction, I want to know His cue so clearly that when He says “now,” I take off in synch—not too soon and not too late. Just right on cue!
We each travel our own journey in following God, so we can’t take our cue from the person next to us. But I do believe God stirs up movements – within us, around us, and to propel us to go toward … sometimes to a new destination. We just need to join Him in what He’s doing.
Sometimes moves of God aren’t so abrupt like the hundreds of birds I saw last week. At times moves of God are a building, growing process—step by step. God works in many different ways. Whichever way He chooses, we need to strive to know—truly know—that nudge, guidance, and peace when God says, “Do this now.”
That means we have to be actively listening … watching … waiting.
It makes for a different focus each day, don’t you think?
Pamela Larson
Hi Karla, I wrote a short story about those birds moving in syncronation. That’s when I found out that movement is called murmuration. Here is the article I found about it.
Pam
Murmuration: Chance Encounter Captures Stunning Phenomenon Of Starlings (VIDEO)
The Huffington Post Dean Praetorius
First Posted: 11/2/11 07:27 PM ET Updated: 11/3/11 01:15 PM ET
This is one of the most spectacular animal phenomena known to man.
A murmuration, which this is, consists of thousands of tiny starlings (birds) collectively flying and swirling about. The mesmerizing act is typically seen at the beginning of winter, right before dusk, as the birds look for a place to roost for the night.
During the action, birds reach speeds of up to 20 mph.
In the video below, Vimeo user Sophie Windsor Clive captured an incredible example of the event on the River Shannon in Ireland. Clive and her companion, Liberty Smith, just seem to happen on the event as they were canoeing across. It was an amazing treat neither of them ever expected to see.
According to the Telegraph, what makes it so beautiful is actually a survival function:
“Numbers build up slowly near the roost over the afternoon as small groups of birds return from foraging in the area,” explains Paul Stancliffe of the British Trust for Ornithology. “By late afternoon there is a huge swirling cloud. It’s all about safety in numbers – none wants to be on the outside, none wants to be first to land.”
Essentially it’s an epic battle to determine who in the flock survives, and who’s a target for predators. According to the Telegraph, each bird tries to copy the bird next to it exactly, which results in a stunning rippling effect.
Sue
So true, loved reading this! I love the way God uses nature and everything around us to help us see Him! Love u girl!