EVEN THE OSTRICH HAS A GIFT!

In Job 38-39, the Eternal God ends all of the conversations between Job and his 'friends' by humbling them all with a somewhat defiant declaration of all that He has done!  

Putting the larger issues of this remarkable book aside for a few moments, let's just look at God's comments in Job 39:13-18.  [All quotes are from The Voice Bible unless otherwise noted].

Commentary:  God now speaks to Job of the ostrich. Is Job as foolish as this stupid bird who leaves her eggs on the ground?

The ostrich flaps her wings,
and the ringing joy is heard.
But her wings and pinions are not like a stork’s. She cannot fly.
She is different from the other birds,
for she lays her eggs straight on the ground,
and she incubates them in the bare dust.
She forgets that a foot might crush them
or a wild animal trample them.
She is harsh to her young, as if they were not even hers.
She is unconcerned at the futility of her labor,
For God denied her a share of wisdom,
and in doling out understanding, He passed her by.
Oh and yet, look at her when the time comes to run—
she spreads her strange wings and
laughs at the horse who must be guided by his rider
although she is an absurd bird who can’t even fly.

Alright, I just did some quick research and discovered that an ostrich can indeed run faster than a horse!  They can run over 30 mph!  They can run faster than many birds can fly!  Other facts amazed me:

• they can be 8' tall
• the only animal with a longer neck is the giraffe
• it's the world's biggest bird
• it can weigh as much as two men
• they are the third fastest land animal

But, they're stupid!

Hey! Don't get upset with me!  God said it!  Just above, God admits that He "...denied her a share of wisdom and in doling out understanding He passed her by."  

Consequently, she can run like the wind!  She looks like a bird, but cannot fly!  She is a poor mother, recklessly laying her eggs in the open and failing to care for them:  "She is harsh to her young, as if they were not even hers."

This begs the question:  So, why did God bother to make the ostrich?

The only answer I can come up with is: BECAUSE GOD WANTED TO!  😊

By her speed, she glorifies God!  The girl can run!!!!!!

______________________________

Humans can be cruel!  At one time or another you've heard someone described as "not the sharpest tack in the box".  Maybe you've even been described with terms like this?  Everyone's gift is not intellect!  Duh.  

I'm guilty!  I've laughed at 'dumb-blonde' jokes.  We enjoy the humor associated with blondes, while knowing full well that the generalization is untrue!  

I remember a discussion when I was serving as a member on the school board of a Christian school many years ago.  We were debating if we should have a vote for a 'king' and 'queen' to be part of the senior's end-of-year event.  Some board members argued that it was nothing more than a popularity contest or beauty pageant.  

A fellow-member of the board [a woman I had high regard for] spoke up:

You know, we honor our youth who are good at sports.  We honor those who can give excellent speeches or sing beautifully.  We recognize those who get the highest grades!   These kids are just naturally good in these areas.  It's where their strengths are!  Why not allow those who happen to be good looking to be recognized?  It's their strength!  It's one of the ways that God blessed them!  

She convinced me!  

Being smart isn't everything!  It's great, of course, but it doesn't make a person a better human than others!  Smart people can be rude and aloof!  

God gives some the gift of intellect while doling out His other gifts and talents to the whole of humanity.  

Come on, you've noticed this!

You've gotten to know a physically unattractive person who you determined was one of the nicest people you've ever met!

You were assigned a seat beside a fat kid and discovered that he had a contagious sense of humor!

You know someone - perhaps even a family member - who doesn't get jokes and admits openly that he doesn't understand difficult things.  But, he's the life of the party; or, she adorns the church altar with gorgeous flower arrangements most Sundays!

Intellect is a wonderful thing!  But it's not for everybody!  We all excel in some way.  It just takes longer and a little more effort to discover it in some of us!  

Take the time!  Look for the nuggets!  God delights in this person for some reason!  Be determined to figure out what it is!!!!!!

______________________________

Creator of the ostrich,

Help me to look for the hidden gifts in Your people!  May I be determined NOT TO JUDGE critically, but to patiently get to know people well enough to see Your reflection in their lives!  I really need help with this, God!  

And thanks for making the ostrich!

Amen.