Proud or Peaceful?

Ostriches are the largest, heaviest, and fastest-running birds in the world. Other birds can travel at faster speeds in the air, but ostriches do not fly. They can, however, reach running speeds up to 40–45 miles an hour (nearly 70 km). Such amazing speed helps the ostrich to outrun animals that would try to chase it. This huge bird also has a 4-inch claw on each foot with a kick that can be powerful enough to kill a lion—and male ostriches can even roar like a lion!

Ostriches are strong and can live in extreme heat and cold, usually 50 years or more.

But one interesting thing about these birds is that they are really not very smart. The ostrich is very big, but its brain is only about the size of a walnut.

In the book of Job, we read:

“Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich? Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in dust, and forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them. She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not hers: her labour is in vain without fear; because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her understanding. What time she lifteth up herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider” (Job 39:13–19).

Yes, ostriches have been known to fight quite fiercely.

Often you meet people who are like this. They are big, strong, and proud. They may be quick to fight and ready to make a big noise. But God does not tell us to be like ostriches—or even like proud, prancing, beautiful peacocks.

Instead, we are told to be like doves. Jesus says, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16).

What does Jesus mean when He speaks of “harmless” doves? Doves are trusting and innocent and can be trained to serve people.

We are to gain lessons from all of God’s creatures as we see their traits and His great care for each of them: “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?” (Matthew 6:26).

“Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29–31).