I was enjoying looking through some of our shrubs,and saw a rapid exit from one of them. It was a blackbird leaving her beautiful nest of eggs. The nest is wonderfully made: grass, lined with mud and saliva, and then an inside lining of dried mosses and fine grasses. (The song thrush nest does not have the lining). 

What a wonderful job this lovely bird had made. Was she taught by her mother how to make a nest? I don’t think so, because the moment the chicks leave the nest they are weaned from contact with mother over quite a short time. 

How did she know how to make a blackbird nest, and not a thrush nest?

 She just went ahead and made it in the fashion of blackbirds, about the same height off the ground, selected material for the outside, a wind-proof lining inside that, and then that soft inner quilt laid in just the best proportions to hold the eggs she would deposit there, and just the right space to allow her to squat down to keep the eggs moving and warm. 

Some folks tell me it is instinct. Now think about your new life, which has been given you by Jesus. How do you know how to live? 

 2 Timothy 1:7-10 from the CEV says, “God’s Spirit doesn’t make cowards out of us. The Spirit gives us power, love, and self-control. Don’t be ashamed to speak for our Lord.

“God saved us and chose us to be his holy people. We did nothing to deserve this, but God planned it because he is so kind. Even before time began God planned for Christ Jesus to show kindness to us. Now Christ Jesus has come to show us the kindness of God. Christ our Savior defeated death and brought us the good news. It shines like a light and offers life that never ends.” 

So be bold like that blackbird. Follow your Christ-given instincts to make a new world – just because it is in your new make-up to be God’s holy people, loving others extrovertly, living the life of a disciple with the special power he has given you!

– The Wright Stuff is Trevor Wright's reflections