Lockdown 84

Lockdown Day 84 - 18 June 2020

Still on the topic of Falconry, I want to talk about the little tracking device Pearl has on her back. She is fitted with a little harness around her body onto which the tracker is clipped on her back. Just before Francois removes her rufter, he activates the tracking device. 

This device is very important, because like I said, Pearl is a wild falcon and when she is in the air she sometimes spots other prey, which means she can lock onto that prey or chase it to places far from where Francois is. He says it has happened before where she actually spent the night in a tree with her catch. So the tracker is essential to know where to find her as quickly as possible. 

Today I kept thinking about this ancient art of falconry which was originally used as a tool with which they 'employed' these trained birds to get food. In some places, such as Mongolia and Tibet it still is. The Falconers are extremely knowledgeable about these birds and serve as guardians for these birds, seeing to it that they aren't overworked and only employed for a short time before being released into the wild. 

So, in other words, this is the falcon's "job" for a while, but it doesn't alter the falcon's innate design. It also can't choose to suddenly be an owl if the peregrine life doesn't suit it. Much like expecting apples from a pecan tree. That made me think about how life should be lived as a human. And about being free even if you're not.

In a sense Pearl's freedom has never been compromised. She has just chosen to entertain a man who has decided to enter her world to learn more. Her freedom is very much alive and real and she owns it. Our freedom as humans is also, by choice, in our hands. 

And humankind has a way of wanting to be in control. To their own detriment, of course. 

Corrie ten Boom (who mastered freedom even though she was in a concentration camp) once said, “It is not my ability, but my response to God’s ability that counts.” Pearl is so surrendered to her destiny she just responds to the call. To own freedom, to be completely free, we need to learn to respond to God's ability while totally surrendered to Him. 

So why not forget about the rufter and bowties you feel are "blinding" you or holding you back, and step out into the freedom that is available for you in Christ. He can see all, do all and provide all, all you need to do is respond to His call. 

And yes, He's really got this.