Insight for Today
A Daily Devotional by Pastor Chuck Swindoll

Of Parrots and Eagles

(?)

EAGLE THINKERS ASK THE HARD QUESTIONS, take strategic risks, search hard for the whole truth, and soar high above mediocrity. Parrot people enjoy the predictable, routine, rehearsed words of others.

I’ve discovered that many churches and organizations are overrun with parrots and virtually devoid of eagles. Too harsh? You decide. Who are the eagles today who offer fresh-from-the-mountain insights about world missions, biblical doctrines, evangelism, Christian education, apologetics, and the disciplines of the faith? Who are those who forge out creative ways of communicating the truths of Scripture so that it’s more than a hodgepodge of borrowed thoughts, rehearsals of the obvious which tend to paralyze the critical faculties of active minds?

Eagles are independent thinkers.

It’s not that they abandon the orthodox faith or question the authority of God’s Word; it’s simply that they are weary of being told, “Stay on the perch and repeat after me.” Eagles have built-in perspective, a sensitivity that leaves room for fresh input that hasn’t been glazed by overuse.

When John the Baptist was summoned to Herod’s palatial home, he could’ve acted like a parrot, offering platitudes of praise in the presence of the arrogant ruler. Instead, he declared,

“It is against God’s law for you to marry your brother’s wife.” So Herodias bore a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But without Herod’s approval she was powerless, for Herod respected John; and knowing that he was a good and holy man, he protected him. Herod was greatly disturbed whenever he talked with John, but even so, he liked to listen to him.

MARK 6:18–20

John the Baptist was an eagle. He spoke the truth. He went to the edge for what he believed. And he was respected for it, even by his enemies.

So then, which will you be? If you like being a parrot, stay put and remain quiet. But if you’re an eagle at heart, what are you doing on that perch? Do you have any idea how greatly you’re needed to soar and explore and to express the wonders of God’s Word? Do you realize how out of place you are inside that cage? Go ahead—run that risk.