There is something mysterious about hearing owls hoot, hoot, hoot through the night because we so rarely see an owl, so it’s fun to know they are there.  But yesterday for the first time in my life, I saw a great horned owl during the day!  We grabbed our binoculars and I swear that old owl turned his head all the way around and looked right at me.

But after a minute, the owl silently swooped down towards my chickens, and it felt like the chickens saw its shadow because suddenly the mother hen screamed out in a panicked sound I had never heard before – air raid!  Danger – air raid!   And all the baby chicks ran as fast as they could and dove under their momma’s wings!

While this incredible experience was brand new to me, I can only imagine growing up surrounded by chickens the way our ancestors lived for thousands of years.  Watching a mother hen cover her chicks for safety, warmth and shelter must have been a common, yet incredibly comforting and touching sight.

No wonder that David describes God Almighty with these words, “He will cover you with His feathers and under His wings you will find refuge.” ^{Psalm 91:4 NIV}

This message of God’s desire to shelter his people – you and me – is so powerful that Jesus cried these words: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem. . . how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” ^{Matthew 23:37 NIV}

Do you hear Jesus cry?  The sound of an air raid!   Emergency!  The urgency in which our Lord is calling us.  Come to me.  Be with me.  Hide under my wings.  Spend time with me.  Give me your concerns.  Put your hope in me because I want to protect you!

My friends, Jesus is calling.  His wings are puffed out and his feathers are soft.  He’s calling you.

What if today, we could take a step to encourage others to hear Jesus calling!   If you’ve felt the warmth and safety of his wings, please share this video with your friends!  Let’s invite others to find the joy that we’ve experienced!