Fly Robin Fly

A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies has no sense.
- Proverbs 12:11 (TLB)

Call it weird or highly unusual, but a Red, Red Robin wasn’t “Bob, Bob, Bobbing-along” but speeding (on foot) like a traditional (feathered) road- runner just the other day. The red breasted small wonder “bobbed” [to appear or arise unexpectedly or suddenly] from one side of Emerson Drive to the other –without attempting to flap its wings.

The Red Robin was just inches away from getting run over had I been driving just a bit faster even though I was in a residential area where vehicle the speed was posted at 25 MPH. Why wouldn’t the bird just “fly” across the pavement instead of running on foot? It seemed like the most logical thing to do, but why not? Perhaps there was a scrap of food on the ground from a nearby trash can, an earthworm that had just lifted its head in a precise spot, or the cry of its mate in a nearby tree top. Perhaps one of these may have been reason enough.

However, from a human perspective, running on the ground was very risky. Yet, I’m aware that there are varieties of birds with wings but are unable to fly; for instance the Ostrich – an African bird characterized by long, bare neck and legs, two-towed feet and small wings. Because of its large body and subsequent small size wings, it is unable to take off and soar into the sky. The Ostrich hence relies on foot power rather than wing power. Yet, what about the Red, Red Robin that sped across the pavement almost as fast as a speeding bullet! What practical lesson can be learned from this?

Let’s surmise that the Red Robin was aggressive to provide food for its mate and young in the nest! With that as a possible clue, Proverbs 12:11 gives an example of what it means to live wisely: “A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies has no sense.” Another translation (the Message/ REMIX) puts the same verse like this; “The one who stays on the job has food on the table; the witless chase whims and fancies.” Notice the bold texted word witless, which is defined as lacking intelligence or wit. No doubt the little Robin serves to remind us that making the right decision [to provide food for itself or others of its kind] very often may be the cause and effect of setbacks –some of course potentially life threatening. But you don’t stand still; learn from life’s training field and trust God-in-Christ to lead you.

I see the Proverbs having more to say to students than to teachers. The book makes it clear that there are no good alternatives to learning wisdom. We are either becoming wise learners or refusing to learn and becoming foolish failures. Check out this wit and wisdom:

Many foxes grow grey, but few grow good.
He most lives who thinks most, feels noblest, and acts best.
He who never fails will never grow rich.
He who pays the piper, calls the tune.
Up, Sluggard, and waste not life; in the grave will be sleeping enough.
There are no riches above a sound body, and no joy above the joy of the heart.
Be ever at leisure to do good; never make business your excuse to decline the works of humanity.
Enjoy the present hour, be mindful of the past; and neither fear nor wish the approaches of the past.

Selah