It's pitch black outside, but I crawl out of bed, grab my slippers and a sweater, head to the kitchen to turn on the coffee-maker and then on into the office.  There, I turn on a lamp, open my Bible and whatever study I might be processing through and get ready to spend quality time with my Lord. But first, I shuffle back to the coffee-maker to brew that first and best cup of coffee of the day.  Settling in at my desk, sipping my coffee and scanning the pages of God's Word in the pre-dawn hours of the morning has become something I love doing. In the dark, still and quiet of the morning, I ask the Lord to waken my ear to listen like one being instructed.

In the dark of one particular morning, it was 5:22 AM when I heard one single bird singing loud and proud. The sweet sound broke the silence, and at that moment, my heart heard the song of hope. It was beautiful.

Oh, how that pre-dawn chorus pierced the darkness. The beautiful sound took my breath away and just as quickly as it came, it stopped.  I just sat there in wonder. Curious to know if anyone knew why a bird would sing in the pitch black of the night, I turned to my friend Google. There, I found this:

"Singing is an essential part of bird life, but it's costly in terms of time and energy. Singing first thing in the morning tells everyone within hearing distance that you were strong and healthy enough to survive the night. This is attractive to potential mates, and lets your competitors know you're still around and in charge of your territory."1

This site went on to say that "by singing in the morning, it is easier for male songbirds to send a clear, complex message to attract mates when there is less atmospheric turbulence."  And, they sing to "tell other males to back off their territory!"

Taking in all I read, I sat back in my chair and smiled at how God was using that moment to speak so many truths into my heart. Surely, these early mornings spent with Him are the appointed time for my pre-dawn chorus! Yes...morning is coming and with it hope.  If I look at the reasons that little bird sang so proud and loud, I can find these spiritual parallels.

• Singing His praises is an essential part of my life in Christ.

• In terms of time and energy, it can be costly.

• But, singing in the morning tells everyone within hearing distance that I am spiritually strong and healthy enough to survive the night!

• My songs of praise to the God who helped me through the night can be attractive to those around me and will let my adversary know God is in charge of my territory!

• Singing proud and loud to my God in the pre-dawn hours when there is less spiritual turbulence alerts my adversary to back off my territory.

I heard you, Lord!  I heard you loud and clear.  Thank you for awakening my ear like one being instructed.

Sing to the Lord, you His faithful ones, and praise His holy name. Psalm 30:4

#selftalk for the soul: Psalm 30

Photo: Photograph by Brandon Keim/Flickr Creative Commons

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