Something rather bizarre occurred on last Friday evening (New Years Eve), just a few minutes before we crossed into 2011. It happened just 40 miles northeast of Little Rock, Arkansas, in a town called Beebe.
While some reports have the number much higher, an estimated 1,000 red-winged blackbirds fell to the ground suddenly over a one mile span in Beebe. As wildlife experts (not to mention a few activists) from all across the country are trying to round up their own theories as to why and how something like this could have happened, one question remains for me after reading this incredible story:
Why did ALL of the birds have to fall?
After the first hundred or so blackbirds began to fall that evening, what kept the second hundred from coming together and deciding that the time had come to fly in a different direction? Or what about blackbirds #781 and #782? Did they not see the plight of those before them? Was there not enough evidence available to conclude that the flock of birds they had been flying behind needed to make some drastic changes?
Why did ALL of the birds have to fall?
While assuming that this level of intelligence was capable by these blackbirds is a bit of a stretch, it is however available to those of us as leaders. As we embark on a brand new year, I believe this is a great time for many of us to begin evaluating some of the birds, churches, organizations, or leaders we have made a commitment to fly behind. While there may be some in our sights who have the wisdom to ascend and change direction when trouble is near, there are others who we may be following who refuse to acknowledge it. Or worst, no longer able to even see danger a far off.
As I heard Jeff Henderson, a great leader and friend of mine in the Atlanta area once say:
“The people you listen to are a preview of the future you.”
