I really think people have lost their minds! We might even say they are a bit birdbrained. An article from The Family Handyman starts out with these words. “Imagine how unpleasant taking a bath in a dirty tub would be. That’s how the birds in your backyard feel when their birdbath isn’t kept clean.”1
I never realized that the birds of the world were so persnickety! Now I know why they are flying overhead, swooping in circles. They are just trying to find a pristine bathtub in order to wash themselves. Perhaps we should have tiny bars of soap and little plush towels on a hook waiting for them. Little scrub brushes for their backs and a loofa would be a nice touch, too!
Maybe I’m making more out of this than is necessary. I just want to know how the author of this Handyman article got in touch with the bird’s feelings. Was there a therapy session where the bird stretched out on a little couch and responded to the question, “How does a dirty bird bath make you feel?” What about those birds who seem to be as happy as a lark (pun intended), enjoying a big muddy puddle after a torrential downpour? I never thought they seemed sad or disappointed. Guess I’m going to have to be more sensitive and observant. Maybe I need to get in touch with my inner bird.
When it comes to animals, our world really has lost its mind. My facetious ramblings in the opening paragraphs are not so ridiculous to some people. The critters of the world are elevated to human status, given rights and protections that the unborn human baby doesn’t have, and now, we want to make the birds feel good about themselves by cleaning their bird baths properly. Ugh!
We are told in Romans 1:20-23, “For the invisible things of him from the creation of
the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (21) Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (22) Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, (23) And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.”
The unredeemed soul must have something to worship and dote upon. The direction of their worship is towards creation rather than Creator. While this is often deemed equitable, it is by no means the same – or even close!
Consider the words of the Lord in Matthew 6:26. “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” The order of importance in God’s creation is made clear. People are better than pets. MUCH better! And man was given dominion over those animals all the way back in the book of Genesis.
Today, I want to look at all God created – the earth, trees, animals, birds, flowers, grass – and praise the Creator for the beauty He made. Psalm 96 is a powerful Psalm of worship. In closing, consider just a few of the words. Take a moment to look up the Psalm and read it in its entirety.
“For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods. (5) For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens. (6) Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. (7) Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength. (8) Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts. (9) O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth. (10) Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the 
world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously. (11) Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof. (12) Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice.” (Psalms 96:4-12)
1https://www.familyhandyman.com/project/how-to-clean-a-birdbath/
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