Free As a Bird

Did you know that over half of Africa's bird species can be found in Uganda? That's over 1,000 species, in case you were wondering, and Uganda has the highest concentration of birds in Africa. It's easy to see up to 300 species in one day, and we're not talking about your average sparrow or humble robin here.

I'm talking about Ross's Turacos flying past your bedroom window.

Weaver birds spinning their nests all over the place.

photo courtesy of Danielle Shaw

Sunbirds like tiny jewels adorning tree branches.

Spoonbills.

Kingfishers.

photo courtesy of Danielle Shaw

Saddle bill storks.

Goliath herons standing tall.

Crested cranes, the majestic national bird.

And then there's the Marabou stork...

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Massive and gangly. Dripping with flesh. This bird garners many comments and plenty of attention but not for the most honorable of reasons. They eat garbage, which is helpful but disgusting, so they can be found wherever there's rotting, stinking waste. (Unfortunately, that happens to be most places in Uganda.) They perch on impossibly small treetops where they build impossibly large nests. They clack their gigantic beaks and sound like a windstorm when they're getting ready to take off. To be sure, this is not my favorite bird here. Not by a long shot. 

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But something happened recently that gave me a new appreciation for these atrocious attractions.  

As I was walking to team meeting a few weeks back, I happened to look up and notice some birds soaring on the thermal drafts. These birds were flying so high, I could barely see them. But the fact that I could still see them at such a great distance meant they were massive birds. Which meant they were Marabou storks, of course.

For the first time, I was struck by their beauty. Yes, their beauty. Perfect silhouettes in a clear, blue sky soaring higher and higher just because they can. And that's when it hit me. That's when my thinking about these birds changed forever.

I watched these huge birds, just a speck in the sky, sail on the heights. Why? They're not raptors. All the food they need is found here on the ground. They're not migratory birds. It's always summer in Uganda. What reason do they have to be flying so incredibly high? 

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There was no reason other than the fact that God gave them powerful wings, and therefore, they should use them the best way they know how. These birds were spinning and soaring on the heights simply to glorify their Creator God in heaven. They were living life in the fullest way possible. 

And in that moment, I'm sure those ugly storks were doing a better job than I was at praising God and using their abilities to honor Him. They weren't questioning their purpose in life, what their future holds, or why they were created in such a way. Instead, they took what they've been given and used it to the fullest extent for the glory of God. 

Amen.