Wade and I enjoy watching the flurry of activity around our hummingbirdfeeder. We fill and hang it up and soon one lone bird approaches cautiously,nervously hovering around to see if it’s safe to grab a quick drink. Without fail, assoon as he lands and begins to drink, another one swoops down to scare himaway. There’s a large tree nearby and it seems they live in and around it. Andthey have a terrible time learning that it’s okay to share! The feeder actually hasfive feeding stations, yet only one bird can cautiously drink before one or twomore come in and remind the nervous, new bird “who’s in charge”! I’m not surewhy we are so intrigued by that drama except it sadly reminds us of the humannature we so often witness.

           Have you ever worked in a place or volunteered in an organization whereyou’ve encountered those who are always reminding others “who’s in charge”?It can be frustrating to be told you did something “wrong” or to be givendetailed criticism of exactly what you did wrong… “we don’t do it that way”. Ormaybe it sounded more like, “we’ve never done it like that before”. It’s as if tosay, “you can’t drink at this feeder because you don’t do it right”. Or the moresubtle message that means, “there’s no place for you here; we don’t need yourhelp”. Seems there’s always someone “in charge” who criticizes and lets othersknow they don’t measure up. Five feeding stations and yet, not welcome? Noroom for others? No room for a new, hungry bird?

           Somehow that doesn’t sound like Christ-like behavior. The truth is, as wework together to bring others to Christ, we must live our lives in a way that reflectsChrist-like behavior. Anything less is unacceptable and inappropriate in light ofthe cross. Birds fight to get near one of the five feeding stations but at Christ’stable there is room for all. People with different ideas and different ways of doingthings can come and feed there, side by side with those with whom theyrespectfully disagree. No one has the right to declare sole ownership or right tothe love that Christ offers. There’s plenty for us all. That was demonstrated to uswith the cross in the most powerful example of love humankind has ever known.

           How can we do any less? How can we criticize or grouse or complainbecause people don’t do things “the right way”, or the way we think it should bedone? Whenever we get frustrated or think we need to remind someone else“who’s in charge”, cast your eyes upon the cross and remember who really is incharge. You might be surprised! Thanks be to God!