Dusty and I circled round the back of the woods and began to
head towards the road. Behind me, in the air, I heard a beating sound, like the
sound of bellows blowing wind into a stubborn fire. I looked back.
Two swans descended in tandem, tracing a gracious circle in
the air before disappearing from my view. I knew where they went.
The local laird dredged out a ‘duck pond’ – complete with
shooting ‘hides’ – several years ago for his own private use. I’ve not seen him
or the game keeper there for a long time but that’s not to say they don’t still
come and shoot wild ducks in season.
My swans floated on the surface of the pond, nibbling at
pond weed, graceful necks twisting and turning. There is a pair of breeding
swans at a garden centre pond a few miles away, and I wondered if these two
were having a day out from there.
In the UK, only royalty can eat swans, by law. I would
imagine that confers a certain protection on them, so that they can land on
duck ponds with impunity, without fear of being shot. By extension, perhaps
their very presence on the pond affords a protection to any ducks which might
otherwise be the target for the laird’s table.
Graceful, royal birds protecting ugly ducklings just by
their presence.
It reminds me of Jesus, who left behind his glory in heaven
to take on the ugly duckling garb of humanity, only to rise to everlasting
life. His identification with us gives us a protection from the enemy whose aim
it is to destroy us. Staying near to Jesus is similar to a duck staying near to
a swan.
And the other thing about Jesus which I see in this rather
goofy analogy, is that though we are all ugly ducklings now, because of his
sacrifice for us, we shall one day be swans, full of grace and beauty.
All because
of Jesus.
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