I had a little aha moment while watching this battle. I thought about people within the walls of the church who are fighting: people who are slandering and ignoring one another. While they spend so much time manipulating the circumstances to try to avoid so-and-so or be outright vengeful, neither party gets to enjoy the sweet beauty of worship. With two people focused on the hurt and bitterness, their disagreement, the paranoia of what others are thinking and the unforgiveness, what is done the way of worship, love, compassion, discipleship and grace? You have two people (or more) shooing each other away from the peace that is worship of the Holy One, whose heart is probably broken that His children are on the attack against one another. You can obviously see Satan at work in this because he thoroughly enjoys splitting congregations of churches. How can a church focus on growing the kingdom and bringing people into a loving relationship with the Lord and with others if the people within are fighting? The sad part is, many will not notice they are patsies for Satan's destruction. Their guard is up, their walls are built, their anger is at DEFCON 5 and ain't nothin' gonna bridge this chasm.
When watching the hummingbirds I wanted to do one of two things: 1) take the feeder inside. If they couldn't share (I mean there are six flowers for feeding locations on this feeder - the two of them and four hummingbird friends could all eat at the same time), then no one got it. Or 2) wish that I could speak hummingbird to say to them, "Are you guys kidding me really? I have made this for you to enjoy and you'd rather pick at each other? Seriously?"
Now imagine God watching us in our disagreeable best within the church walls. What if He wonders the same? "You can't love and share with one another? I will take the whole church from you. You can't get along? I have made this church for your enjoyment and abundant life and you're going to squander that time? Be loving towards one another!"
We are going to have disagreements within the church. You will lose respect for the many sinners that sit in the pews next to you. But never forget you are one, too. And remember our Father expects us to strive for peace. "If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all." Romans 12:18 and "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." Matthew 5:9.
I have been on the receiving end and the dishing end of these kinds of pathetic arguments. And I can tell you there have been many times where no matter what efforts were made to reconcile or mend relationships, some people just do not want to forgive 70x7. Some would rather stay in their corner whispering than reach out in the love our Father demands. And it's completely against everything we are taught as Christians to do.
I don't think God expects all of us to be friends. I don't think He expects us to always get along or agree with one another. But He absolutely expects us to love. "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34-35. He expects us to value others above ourselves (Philippians 2:3).
If Christians could step outside of their situation to watch the hummingbird battle and realize the damage they are doing and how pathetic they look, perhaps they might reconsider their actions. Perhaps they would realize they are pawns in Satan's great attempt to discredit Christians and destroy the church. Perhaps they would love. We have something worth sharing with the world, but will the world want what we have if we're not sharing it well with each other in the church? There is so much of God to enjoy. If you are engaged in a conflict right now, ask yourself if the struggle is worth the damage. The answer is most certainly a resounding no. God is love. Let people see that in us.
