Owl Witness to You

A barn owl glides at 16 miles per hour.

A barn owl flies at 23 miles per hour.

And I know these statements are true.

It is that rather lovely time of year at which our Sunday and Wednesday evening meetings conclude around dusk. As I cycle home, my journey coincides with members of the local barn owl fraternity emerging from their rafters and holes to go seeking food. Last week, one glided in front of my bike for half a mile; this week, one flew in front of me for a hundred yards. By keeping the distance between them and me the same for a period of time, I was able to use my bike’s speedometer to measure their speed. I have not compared my observations with any found in ornithological guides, and I understand that wind, thermals and the creature’s own decision will have affected those speeds. Otherwise, I know those claims are correct because I witnessed them.

The Apostle John writes in his first epistle:

That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 1:3

He writes as no pondering or speculative philosopher, no armchair theologian or pious mystic always listening to his own thoughts. He writes as a witness. The Christ of whom he speaks he knew, and heard, and leaned against. I cannot say that I witnessed His time on earth, but I do witness and testify of His saving grace, endless patience and amazing faithfulness.

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8

Image: 'Angela', on Pixabay