Not so Pheasant Experience

It was just a normal day—I was at home getting ready to head into worship practice—when suddenly, I heard a loud thump. This wasn’t just any thump. It shook the house. The sound was so unfamiliar I couldn’t place it. I stopped to listen for any further clue to its source, but I heard only silence afterwards. I proceeded to take the dogs outside in the backyard, looked around and saw something unusual.  A large pheasant was lying in my yard. Then I realized what happened. The pheasant had flown right into our living room window, thinking it was open sky or another pheasant, and hit the glass so hard it died instantly. The window had an incredible imprint of the bird in flight at the moment of impact. I felt sad that such a beautiful bird met such a tragic end. Just two days before pheasant season, so it could not even legally be used for meat. Since nothing happens without a reason, there must be a spiritual lesson to be learned, so here it is.

We can be deceived by appearances. What seems good or harmless may lead to destruction if we’re not discerning. Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” The scope of this proverb includes all kinds of decisions that we are called upon to make. Someone once said, “I was climbing the ladder of success, but then I discovered that it was leaning against the wrong wall.” 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 says, “…even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So, it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.” The pheasant reminded me that the only way to see things as they truly are is to see the world through the lens of the Bible, for the Word of God is truth (John 17:17).  As time flies by, we must make sure we have the right flight plan and look out for any fowl play by the evil one. Sorry, couldn’t resist.

Pastor Phil Newby