Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Christian Outdoor Object Lessons 36: No More Chickens



Key Verse

“Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and don’t be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1 WEB

Lessons

“Don’t be such a chicken!” You have probably heard that before. Whenever someone acts timid or fearful we tell them not to act like a chicken. Chicken seems to be synonymous with coward. After hearing this comparison all your life you probably think that chickens are timid or even complete cowards. And you would be justified in thinking that if you had never spent time around chickens. But this is unfair to the chickens.

Chickens are not more timid or cowardly than other birds. In fact, just the opposite can be true. Chickens can be incredibly brave and even vicious. Chickens who live in the open and roam free know how to defend themselves. Male chickens, called roosters, can be very territorial. Roosters have been known fight to the death.

Hens, or female chickens, must be able to protect their young. They must fight off predators. When sitting on thier eggs they are very protective of them.1 Chickens know how to care for themselves. Left to their own devices, they will stay outside from dawn until dusk foraging, socializing, splashing in puddles, and perching on the low limbs of trees. They cooperate and form long term friendships. They are watchful for preditors and protect the young. In spite of the stereotypes, chickens are like most other birds. Some may be timid, but most are surprisingly brave when they need to be.2

As humans we like give each other labels. We put expectations on each other. We tell others what they are capable of and what they can or cannot do. Many times we believe what others say. We believe the labels, we believe that we are not capable of more. If we are called chicken we tend to believe it, deep inside, although we may not show it. But like the chickens, if we are given freedom to be all that we can, we will accomplish surprising feats! We will become brave and confident. We will not be limited by what others say about us. Jesus offers us this freedom. Freedom from labels, from other’s limitations, and from our past. Galatians 5:1 tells that Christ has set us free and we are no longer to be entangled with the bondage of this world. As Christians we have the King of the universe on our side. We can be brave and free.

Sources

1 Fey, Brian. "Are Chickens Really More Afraid than Other Small Animals?" Quora. May 17, 2013. Accessed May 24, 2016. https://www.quora.com/Are-chickens-really-more-afraid-than-other-small-animals.

2 Jones, Miriam, and Pattrice Jones. "Learn About Birds." VINE Sanctuary. 2011. Accessed May 24, 2016. http://vine.bravebirds.org/learn-about-birds/.

Written By David F. Garner
Photo Credit: David F. Garner