Draw Near – 365 Guides to Greater Intimacy with GodSample

WINGLESS BIRDS An ancient legend tells of the time God created the birds. According to the story, they first were made without wings. The birds complained that they couldn't go very fast or far by hopping. So God put wings on their backs. Still the birds complained. Together they went to the Maker and demanded He take away the heavy appendages. They believed the wings had no use except to burden them. The Creator told them to wait one week. He said if they still felt that way after a week, He would remove the wings. During that week, the birds began to experiment with their wings. They soon learned they could speed through the sky and soar heavenward with them. Needless to say, they did not return to ask God to take away their wings. When it comes to praising, believers are like the birds in this mythical story. Asked to praise God, we feel it is another heavy burden added to our many problems. We complain that we cannot do it, that God expects too much of us. But, when we try praising God, our souls soar like never before. And, once we have tried it, we no longer want to be as we once were (Psalm 149). Today, may we ask God to teach us to praise. This at first sounds strange, but such a prayer will be answered; and we will learn to give God the glory in all of our lives. In doing so, we will reach a level of joy we never knew possible.