Frenzy At the Pool

 

When Al and I picked out a bright blue bird bath for the backyard, little did we realize how popular it would be among the residents of our small corner of the world. Birds, squirrels and chipmunks are still visiting it, even with the cool fall weather.  

One robin in particular seems to think that he owns the bird bath. He’ll perch on the edge of the dish, just looking around, taking his time before bending over to get a drink. Sometimes, he’ll jump into the water, splashing with his wings until he’s soaked.

Even with other robins around, he seems oblivious, splashing and spraying water on them too. Those on the ground near the base or sitting up on the edge get soaked; but they don’t seem too bothered. In fact, after a few minutes, another robin will jump in, displacing the first. There’s only room for one bather at a time!

Often the big commotion draws other birds: sparrows, doves, blackbirds and bluejays. If the robins are pushy, the sparrows just wait until the right moment and then take quick drinks before departing. They are usually ignored by the bigger guests. Blackbirds seem more hesitant to drink when other birds are around; and the shy doves very rarely get up to the water, finding refuge under the shrubs and plants.

 When a bluejay arrives, the others disperse quickly, leaving the birdbath to him. And when a squirrel or chipmunk decides to jump up to the bowl for a drink, there is no contest from any of the other visitors.

While their interactions are interesting and amusing to watch, I wonder how thirsty they are after having a weeklong dry spell. Is all of the jostling for a drink or a bath out of necessity? Is it a matter of life and death for some of them?

The story of a poor man, an invalid for thirty-eight years, comes to mind. In desperation, he was lying by a pool in Jerusalem which was supposed to have curative properties. If he could only be the first person to get into the water when it was stirred supernaturally … He as well as all of the other disabled people at the pool held on to this hope for healing.

But time after time, when the water appeared to be moving, others rushed ahead of the paralyzed man. No one stopped to help. They were not thinking of anyone else but themselves. 

He languished there on his mat day after day, bitterly disappointed, until Jesus found him. After hearing about his condition Jesus asked, “Do you want to get well?”

To this, the man replied, “…I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”  After suffering for so many years, all he could think of was getting to the water. Then along came Jesus.

“Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.”

 Instantaneously, he was healed. Standing up, he took his mat and walked—for the first time in 38 years! (John 5:1-9 NIV) He was healed! He was free to go!

 I wish that I could have been there to witness that miracle, and then later to hear him tell about it in his own words! Perhaps he was able to lead others who were desperate for healing to Jesus, his Healer; maybe he even returned to the same pool where those who were “blind, lame and paralyzed” still gathered.

How many times in my own life have I been in a health crisis, and after trying desperately to finding a solution on my own have finally turned to the Lord for help? In every case, He has heard my plea, whether through medicine, doctors, surgeons, some other branch of medicine…or through an instantaneous answer to prayer.

And my response? Am I quick to thank Him, to give Him the glory for coming to my rescue? Do I tell others about how much the Lord has done for me, not only in physical healing, but also healing on other levels? Do I stop to help those who are in need, and show them the way to Jesus?

Good things to ponder! Lord, help us all!

 

“Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” Mark 5:19 NIV (After Jesus healed a demon-possessed man)