Even the wise owl might not give a hoot, ‘cause he’s got nothing to crow about in this fowl election. I’m going stork raven loony. —A post on City-Data.com
Normal election years bring out the worst in all of us, it seems. And this year has been anything but normal. The unprecedented circumstances we’re facing intensify our fear, anxiety, uncertainty, and judgmentalism. I don’t blame anyone who throws up their hands and screams, “This is all for the birds!” For the birds is an idiom for something that’s worthless, annoying, and/or stupid. Maybe this election is “for the birds,” but in a different way.
In Daniel chapter 4, a tree is mentioned in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. The tree refers to the vast kingdom he built on earth. Birds are mentioned as the inhabitants of that kingdom of earth. In Matthew 13, Jesus taught about a tree and birds as well, but this time the tree refers to the Kingdom of Heaven.
He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” (Matthew 13:31-32)
Why might this election be for the birds? Because the birds in Jesus’ parable refer to people too, and people are tired and fatigued and looking for a place to rest their weary souls right now. One of the reasons God’s Kingdom exists is to provide a nest, a home for these people—no matter what side of the aisle they’re from. He’s ready to make our sins as white as snow, to cast them as far as the east is from the west—no matter if we’re from the right or the left. He is the vine and we are His branches. His “tree” is the greater body of Christ, the global fellowship of believers. We are the home for weary birds from every tribe, tongue, and nation. We can be a place of rest, love, and Truth for every bird with aching wings… if we’re willing to look at this election from God’s perspective.
Each bird is a priceless soul. Each is eternally and infinitely more valuable than any ballot. They’ve been flapping their whole lives; they so desperately need a place to rest. It can happen in a cathedral on a Sunday morning, in a coffee shop on Monday afternoon, in a Zoom meeting on Thursday afternoon… because we’re the tree. We’re the Church, and the gates of hell cannot prevail against it, no matter who wins this election.
I firmly believe—if we pray for those we feel are persecuting us, if we love our enemies, if we turn the other cheek when offended, if we seek first HIS Kingdom—that each of us can be used by God, as He empowers us to plant seeds and water the tree and welcome others to nest so that tired souls will hear of His love and grace.
So how do you view this election? Is it for the “birds,” or is it for the birds?