Two dead sparrows

If you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! — Galatians 5:15

I was cruising along on the highway at about 60 miles an hour when up ahead I saw two sparrows in a fierce battle at the side of the road. With feathers flying, they attacked each other with great fury.

As my car approached, they became locked in combat. Together they rose in the air and fluttered into the path of the car. With a violent thud they smashed against the windshield. They were so preoccupied with their battle that they were blind to more serious dangers. Their quarrel cost them their lives.

How often we act like those two sparrows! We fail to realize that in a fight no one ever wins. Both are losers. We carry grudges, and our irritations get blown out of proportion. I don’t know what those sparrows were fighting over, but it wasn’t worth dying for. Neither are our quarrels.

Learn a lesson from the sparrows. Forget your grievances, be ready to forgive, and admit it when you’re wrong. Ask God’s Spirit to produce in you “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (vv. 22-23).

When you feel like fighting, remember those two dead sparrows by the roadside! — M. R. De Haan, MD

Spirit of God, please change my heart,

And give me a new desire;

I want to be a man of peace,

Not controlled by anger’s fire. — K. De Haan

READ: Galatians 5:13-26

When you lash out at others, you’re sure to hurt yourself.

The Bible in one year:

• 2 Chronicles 23-25