Three Pieces Of Advice From A Bird

I came across an intriguing illustration recently that caught my attention, one that truly captures a challenge for us as Christians today. We are often so intent on seeking out new knowledge; new revelations, deeper insights, and more answers to our questions. And yet, how often do we fail to act on what we already know? How often do we find ourselves searching for the unknown while neglecting the known?

This illustration begins with a man who catches a small bird. The bird, small and scrawny, offers the man a trade: freedom in exchange for three pieces of advice. The man, convinced that the bird’s words will be worth more than its flesh, agrees.

The bird promises to give the first piece of advice while still in the man’s hand, the second from a nearby branch, and the third from the top of a mountain.

The first piece of advice is simple: “If you lose something – even if you value it as much as your life – do not be distressed.” The man, curious, lets the bird go, and it flies to a nearby branch.

From there, the bird offers the second piece of advice: “Never believe without evidence anything which is contrary to common sense.” The man grunts at this, dissatisfied with such “commonplace” wisdom.

The bird, now at the mountain’s peak, delivers a blow: “What a shame! My body conceals two enormous precious stones. If you had killed me, they would have been yours!”

Hearing this, the man erupts in frustration—stamping his foot, pulling his hair, rolling in the grass—cursing the bird for tricking him out of unimaginable wealth.

But then he remembers: there is still a third piece of advice owed to him. He demands it.

The bird, unimpressed, responds with sharp rebuke: “You fool! You’ve ignored my first two pieces of advice, and yet here you are, eager for more. I told you not to be distressed over lost things, and I warned you not to believe in things that contradict common sense. Now you’re lamenting the loss of two ‘enormous precious stones’ when my small body could never have concealed them in the first place!”

And with that, the bird flew away, leaving the man in his despair.

Now, let’s take a moment to consider the deeper meaning of this story.

This man sought wisdom, yet he could not apply what he was already told. He wanted more answers, more insight, more knowledge; but he didn’t know how to act on what he had already received. Isn’t this exactly what many of us do in our walk of faith?

As Christians, we are given the most important truth of all: “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15). We know this. We know what God has commanded us to do. We are called to go out and share the Good News of Jesus Christ with others. But how many times do we sidestep this clear commission? How often do we instead sit in church, attend Bible studies, read books, or listen to podcasts, thinking we need to know more before we act? How often do we fail to put into practice the very thing we already know?

The man in the story was foolish because he wanted new wisdom without paying attention to the wisdom already given to him. In the same way, we, as believers, can fall into the trap of seeking new knowledge or deeper insight while neglecting to act on the Great Commission that Jesus has already commanded us to fulfil.

If we don’t put into practice what we already know, why are we so intent on seeking more? The truth is that God has already equipped us. He has given us His Word, His Spirit, and the command to go. But the challenge today is not simply to know more, it’s to do more with what we know.

So, my challenge to you is this: Stop seeking new information if you’re not willing to live out the truths you already hold. Step out in faith. Share the Gospel. Make disciples. Put into action what God has already revealed to you, and trust that as you walk in obedience, He will guide you into even greater understanding and revelation.

Because, in the end, knowledge without obedience is like the man with the bird; it leaves you grasping for things that were never meant to be yours, while missing the treasure that’s right in front of you.

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22)

God bless you and keep on keeping on...

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