Deceptive Dunnocks

     Dunnock (Prunella modularis) RSPB UK Photo.

And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.                                                 

Luke 16:15 (NASB)

Just the other morning while sipping my coffee I was watching the activity at the garden bird table. The usual visitors were all there, the pigeons, Wren, Blackbird, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, House Sparrows and the Dunnocks. A particular sight gave me a smile, it was that of a couple of baby Dunnocks following mummy Dunnock in anticipation of food. Mum would peck some seed spilled on the ground from the feeders and offer it to her babies, who fluttered their stubby wee wings in excitement. It was a cute scene of parental care being played out before me. But this family harbours a scandal, mum is not loyal to any particular male – dad for these chicks could be anyone of a number of males. Therefore all the Dunnocks I see each morning are likely to be an extended family. Even in the bird world appearances are deceptive.

People are no different from my garden Dunnocks, in that appearances don’t tell the whole story. As mortals we make many of our judgements based on what we see; how someone dresses or behaves, which does not tell us their whole story. But Almighty God, Creator of all creatures knows each of them intimately including each person. He knows the amount of hairs on our head (Matthew 10:30), how often our heart beats and, the thoughts we harbour. He sees our innermost desires, good and bad. We can deceive those around us but we cannot deceive or hide from God. David said it best:

Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.
— Psalm 139:7-8

Dear reader, let us endeavour not to lay much value in appearances before our fellow men. God knows the deepest desires and thoughts of our heart, let us surrender our entirety to Him as a sacrifice of service today.

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