“Serving an Eviction Notice”

I looked out my kitchen window and there he was sitting on my hammock in the backyard as if he owned the place. I went to get shoes on and by the time I returned he was gone. I told Sari we needed to keep an eye out for him in case he returned. And wouldn’t you know, less than an hour later he was back and he had a lady friend with him this time. Obviously homeless and just looking for a place to live, Sari looked at me and said, “We need to get a bluebird house in the backyard!”  We love bluebirds and spotting one is a rare treat especially in a housing addition. They are pretty particular about where they live and they like wide open spaces with little competition from other birds. My Dad always had a blue bird house, or two, when we lived out in the country and was excited when a husband and wife moved in. Bluebird houses come with a pretty specific building design to suit there needs. Small hole without a perch. Interior climbing wall for young ones to climb to the opening. Must face east. At least 50 feet from the nearest tree. They really don’t like neighbors!
That is our problem and why they are so rare in the city. Those building specs are hard to come by. But we bought a bluebird house (my Dad always built his own) and tried our best to find the right location that would be attractive to this young couple. We got it fixed to a fence post in the corner of our yard and waited. The next day we saw activity! It appeared that a nest was being built. Upon further inspection our bluebird house was being inhabited by a chickadee. I immediately went out and served an eviction notice, opening the door and removing the beginnings of a chickadee nest. The only way to attract a bluebird is to continually let all of the other birds know this house is not for them.  It is now an ongoing struggle to evict the unwanted chickadee in order for the bluebirds to thrive.

A topic of the elders this time of year is the process of appointing new elders in the leadership of the church. 1 Timothy 3 is a section of Paul’s letter to the young pastor outlining what characteristics he is to look for in leaders, elders specifically. 1 Timothy 3:4,5, “He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect.” That means a leader must be able to manage his family, his house well. And while this is a requirement for elders, I think it is a worthy idea for any person. Spiritually run your home well. Live your life well, in a manner that is worthy of respect. And I thought for a healthy bluebird home, the chickadees have to be evicted. What have I allowed to live in my home that maybe needs to be served an eviction notice. Is there a ‘bad habit’ chickadee? Is there a ‘cultural compromise’ chickadee? Have I adopted aspects of the chickadee way of thinking into my bluebird world?

As believers, compromise with the world is not an option. If I want bluebirds, I can’t compromise with the chickadees! God has given us through his word a design for holy living. Dependence on the Holy Spirit to help us keep the chickadees away. We are called to a different way of life. A holiness that resembles the life of Jesus. Our house should look different. Should follow biblical worldview specs. The world of the chickadee needs to be evicted.

Christian, we are living in a world where compromise and fitting in seems to be the norm when actually it is abnormal, subnormal to the life Jesus lays out for us. Take some time and really look into your spiritual backyard. What things are calling you to compromise the life Jesus has for you? What are you allowing to live in your spiritual house that may need to go?  What is your attitude about blending in with all of the other birds versus standing out and maybe appearing a little different?  This is not an easy exercise and like any worthwhile change may take some time. Chickadees don’t give up easily! Sin and compromise will not go away with out vigilance and spiritual discipline?

Set out today to begin evicting the ways of the world from your way of living!