The Dawn Chorus

Birds break out into song before the day breaks, before any light is seen. Named 'The Dawn Chorus', no one is exactly sure why the birds sing so early in the dark cold. It seems the birds are announcing the coming day even when it still looks like night.

Like the birds, we were made to sing from the rooftops and soar in life, to soar in Christ! During our darkest times, we can be encouraged and stand in the hope of Christ. When Jesus's disciples entered their deepest despair, wondering what would happen next after Jesus was crucified, they experienced the greatest victory they would ever know.

Jesus appeared to His followers in crucified flesh, totally in tact, invulnerable, whole. He was and still is, the resurrected beautiful man-God who could never be killed again. Death was conquered, not Jesus. We have Christ's resurrection life in us because His victory was our victory! No matter how life looks, the fact is, death was defeated and the enemy was put under Jesus' feet. These enemies are under our feet too. When difficult things are thrown our way, when the day looks bleak, the truth is, we are seated in heavenly places with Christ, our victorious King!

We don't have to sing like the birds but we certainly can, because we share the same identity and victory in Jesus! The battle is won so we are free to sing, even jump for joy, in the midst of the the worst times. It's not presumptuous to even expect supernatural joy, rest and peace in the midst of our circumstances. Why? Because Jesus is our Warrior King and He lives in and through us.

A lot more can be said here but I'll just close saying, I've often discovered that the hardest times often reveal Christ's undying faithfulness (and I'm still realizing how faithful He is, even after times where I felt I had struggled alone!). The rich depths of His joy, peace and rest can become even more real for us in the worst of times, especially times when it seems we have nothing else to lean on.

Perhaps His light seems to shines the brightest, the darker the backdrop... or perhaps His song (becoming our song), rings out all the more loud and clear, when it's unexpected and nothing seems to stir in the dead of the night. For the very reason that joy (and every fruit of the spirit) would not be the expected outcome from hard times, our supernatural source is revealed. We are empowered by the One who has gone before us, who was tested through every trial and tribulation. As Christ words still echo true today, "take heart, I have overcome the world!" (John 16:33)