A BIRD'S EYE VIEW

Many years ago now a movie was released entitled, “March of the Penguins”.  It was a beautifully done documentary on the breeding habits of the Emperor Penguin.  I remember being completely amazed at the details of the incredible hardships these beautiful birds faced in order to bring their little ones into being and then protect them while they grew.

Contrary to the habits of many other animals who breed and raise their young in the spring, the Emperor Penguins migrate to the same place every year, to bring forth their young in the winter, in the vast emptiness of Antarctica.  After the females lay their eggs they depart, traveling an incredible distance to find food, while the males protect the eggs, and later the chicks, in a special pouch under their wings. 

When the winter winds blow and the temperatures fall, the males form a huge huddle and then rotate their positions so that everyone has a turn in the center and at the outer rim, where they are more exposed to the elements.

Finally the females, in a long single line, “somehow” find their way back just in time to feed their now hungry chicks.

At the time that this movie was released I happened to be teaching women about the creation story from the early chapters of the book of Genesis in the Bible and the story of the Emperor Penguins became the perfect illustration of the majesty of God in creation.

Currently, my husband and I are watching a series on public television entitled: “Earthflight”, which chronicles the migratory behavior of birds from every continent around the world.  And once again I am in awe. 

It would seem that the videographers mounted a small camera on one member of each species of bird, because the filming is literally a “bird’s eye view” of their respective journeys. 

We SEE the terrain viewed by the birds as they travel over fields, and seas, and mountains.  We SEE the weather patterns of fog, and rain, and snow through which they travel to reach their destinations.  We SEE the predators from which they flee to avoid becoming “lunch”.  We SEE them building nests and tending to their young.  It’s amazing.

When I SEE all of this myself – what I SEE is the awesomeness of the God who created them all and programmed them to know exactly when the time for mating is near, and Who directs them where to go when the time is right.  By the inner prompting with which He equipped them, they leave where they are and travel sometimes thousands of miles, facing numerous obstacles, to reach a very specific destination where they breed and raise their chicks. 

I don’t for a single moment believe this kind of behavior is evolutionary, or that it happened by chance.  Seriously, what are the chances???

No, I believe these magnificent birds and the behavior they exhibit reveals the power and creative genius of the One who made all things and then pronounced them, good.

I agree with the Apostle Paul when he says in Romans 1:20:

“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – His eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”

So what do YOU SEE when you view the intricacies and beauty of the world around you?  A world brought into being by random chance, or a world created by THE Supreme Being, who’s creation reflects His glory?