Tip of My Iceberg

           photo courtesy of John Rogers

We’ve seen her the last couple of years. She’s distinct from the other sand hill cranes because of her noticeable limp. She and her mate have stayed in our general location during this time, and we’ve watched each season as one or two chicks come on the scene with them. It showcases the monogamous commitment of these birds, the family instinct that glues them together.

We drove up the other morning and saw her resting on our front lawn. Rarely do you see one of these birds sitting, so seeing her in that posture made me wonder where her other half was.

Pulling into the driveway, we spotted him standing behind our car, a few feet in front of his mate. The protective guardian who wasn’t going to allow any human to hurt his beloved.

Do birds grasp the concept of love?

These cranes can be a bit prickly to be around. John was hesitant to get out of the car–we’ve had them fly at us before, wings outstretched, flapping madly.

Protective.

We all long to have a protector who will be there for us when we need them. Someone we know has our back when circumstances are more than we can handle.

There is always something in our lives that’s greater than our capacity to deal with it. Protection is a deep need we all have. It’s part of being human–our need for others to live life with us and beside us, people who will support us when life gets tough.

The Bible is full of stories of people in precarious positions who needed someone to come through for them.    

After the death of Moses, his protege Joshua led the Israelites into Canaan, the land God had promised them. He was going to lead his people across the Jordan River to take possession of the land. He secretly sent two spies to scout out the land, especially Jericho. This was a rough area–the Moabite king of this nation had sacrificed his oldest son to his pagan gods, encouraging child sacrifices in the land. The spies snuck into the walled city and found sanctuary with a prostitute named Rahab. She hid the two men, and when officers came looking for the spies, she kept their secret.

Rahab had heard of the reputation of the Israelites, and she made the two spies promise to protect her and her family when they took over the city. She had heard of God and believed Him to be the one true God. Having given her their word, she let the spies down the outside of the wall so they could return safely to Israel. She left the red rope used to save them hanging there so they could find her.

The way the Israelites conquered Jericho wasn’t with swords and spears. Joshua had the Israelite army march around the whole city of Jericho once every day for six days. Seven priests would walk ahead carrying the sacred Ark of the Covenant, which held the Ten Commandments. On the seventh day, they were to march around it seven times, and then blow the ram’s horn. There would be no shouting or talking. When the horns were blown on the seventh day, everyone was to shout. When that happened, the walls of Jericho collapsed.

Joshua told the spies that they were to save Rahab and her family.

“The men who had been spies went in and brought out Rahab, her mother and brothers, and all the other relatives who were with her. They moved her whole family to a safe place near the camp of Israel.” Joshua 6:23

Because of Rahab’s bravery, she was protected from what those in Jericho experienced, and her family was spared. Her commitment to her word , to protect those she’d promised to protect, saved her and her whole family.

Her courage and faith, not her profession, gave her character and identity. So much so that she is part of the genealogy of Jesus.

The need for protection reminds us of our vulnerabilities and weaknesses. Like the crippled sand hill crane, we each have areas of our lives where we need the tender caregiving of another.

God seeks to be that Protector, that Sanctuary for us in times of weakness and trouble.

He’s there for anyone who would ask.

No matter who we are or what we’ve done.

That’s Someone we can count on.