How lovely they were to behold as they ate together, pecking each other’s beaks for food remnants, playing, and snuggling for warmth. I hardly ever saw them fight one another. One morning, one stood close as usual and pecked playfully at another, but it would not respond because it was dead. We had bought three exotic poultry birds and always observed them moving together. One looked inactive that morning and crouched down at the slightest opportunity. I picked it up in my hands, and as I did, I felt its life slipping away; its eyes closed, and its head drooped. I tried to save it by offering some water, but it was too late, it had died.
As I dug a pit to bury the bird, I contemplated how to write about its death. I thought about it, but I could barely come up with anything substantial to express; then it dawned on me that there is indeed no inspiration in death. There is no hope in darkness, only utter awfulness, emptiness, and loss. This raises the question: what communion does light have with darkness?
The judgments of God pronounced against sin, the inevitable retribution, the degradation of our character, and the final destruction are all outlined in God’s word to warn us about the horrors of sinful works and darkness. As Believers and disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, we have been enlightened, to now see things in their true light. Let us try to appreciate the labor and energy that Heaven is expending for our restoration and reconciliation with the Father. Motives stronger and agencies more powerful could never be set into motion than these; the extraordinary rewards for righteousness, the countless company of angels, the communion and love of God and His Son, and our glorification through eternal ages are mighty incentives to encourage us to give our hearts in loving service to our Lord.
Shall we not consider the mercy of God? Let us place ourselves in the right relationship with Him, who has loved us with an amazing love. Let us take advantage of the means provided for us so that we may be transformed into His likeness and restored to fellowship, harmony, and communion with the Father and the Son.
