Why do birds sing? Such a simple question but as I’ve mulled over this query, the answer doesn’t seem as obvious as I thought it would be. Lest you wonder what other odd topics my mind seems to pursue, this one was prompted by a small poster that’s been hanging above my desk for several years.
This little piece of light cardboard, printed with a photo of a bird in song, is enhanced with these words: “A bird does not sing because it has an answer but because it has a song.” (Chinese Proverb)
I’d become so used to seeing those words in front of me, I’d almost forgotten them. This week, however, they took on new and inspirational meaning.
But first, a bit of background. As I’m sure most, if not all my readers know, I reside on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia. Right on the edge of the West Coast of British Columbia, to be exact. Within a few minutes walking distance from the Pacific, we are treated to early spring weather, following the fury of lashing torrents of wind and rain that characterize our winters. Right now, our local “music” is being provided by hundreds of California sea lions lounging on a long breakwater of rocks. We hear them, many hours of the day, as they proclaim their enjoyment of an abundant crop of fish before they head south again.
On the other hand, birds such as the one shown on that postcard, send out their messages of beauty quietly but eloquently. “I don’t know the answers,” they warble, “But God has given me a song that needs to be sung.”
Do you need some answers today? Has your song died?
I challenge us to change our questions from “Why?” to “Thank You, Lord, for giving me a song to sing.”
