My human family still hasn’t stopped talking about Greenland since returning home from their long migration there. And they keep on about the icebergs. Now, parrots and blocks of ice don’t usually go together; the mere thought of ice is enough to send a chill up my quills(!) But they were totally wowed by the icebergs that they saw. Perhaps that’s because every single iceberg, -just like humans themselves, -is totally unique. Some look like great aircraft carriers; others come with ‘towers’ and ‘spires’ like floating cathedrals or palaces. And then the smaller ones can take on the shape of turtles or rabbits or wedges of cheese. Yes, icebergs really are the ultimate sculptures, -better than anything created by arty humans.
But that’s not all. There’s a certain mystery attached to icebergs; because just like humans, they have an additional depth and complexity which remains hidden beneath the surface. And that can be as much as 70 or 80% of their total mass. Some icebergs can be ‘pure’ all the way down from top to bottom, with no impurities spoiling their substance or appearance. But not all…. Others may look beautiful on the surface, but further down, they can be grey or brown because of all of the debris and impurities that they have picked up on the way.
And so it is with humans and parrots. What you see on the surface isn’t necessarily what lurks below. And it’s that inner, hidden part which really matters to God and Jesus. Because we can all look fantastic on the outside with our beautiful complexions and glorious plumage. But how much of that masks what lies below? And do we really have the honesty, the courage and the humility to look inside our inner cores? Because that’s where we carry pockets of sin and guilt around, -all carefully concealed from public view. Which, of course, is why we all need Jesus so that we can be purified. And the problem isn’t that we sin in the first place. No, the real problem is when we’re in a state of denial; when we fail to acknowledge or care about the impurities at our core. Because that can create all kinds of monsters within us, -things like self-delusion, hypocrisy, lies, deceit and narcissism. And when we’re fuelled by all these things, then just like a mighty iceberg, we can come to believe that we are indestructible and can do whatever we want…… But with icebergs, there comes a point when the submerged base can no longer support what lies above the surface. And when that happens, the entire iceberg will suddenly flip over, to reveal everything that had once been hidden from view. It’s always been like this throughout history, and yet, so many humans still don’t get it, and appearance continues to hold sway over substance. That’s what we see with so many human celebrities, actors, actresses, pop stars, sports stars, presidents, prime ministers, business tycoons and power-crazed humans at a more local level. For all too often, these can be tragic figures who ultimately fall victim to their own power and success. And other humans like to build them up for a greater fall by placing them all on high pedestals to be worshipped and idolised like demi-Gods.
No, we are all flawed by sin. We’ll never be pure below the surface. But at least we can be stabilised and saved from ourselves if we allow God and Jesus to become a part of our base. And then hopefully, we won’t capsize……
“Like icebergs, people normally expose only a small part of themselves, and generally just the part they wish to show.”
(Nikki Yanofsky: [1994-present]: Canadian jazz-pop singer-songwriter).
“I’m an Irish catholic and I have a long iceberg of guilt.”
(Edna O’Brien: [1930-2024]: Irish novelist, playwright and poet).
“As the salt flavours every drop in the Atlantic, so does sin affect every atom of our nature. It is so sadly there, so abundantly there, that if you cannot detect it, you are deceived.”
(Charles Spurgeon: [1834-1892]: English Baptist Preacher).
“Deceit is the fault that enables all vices.”
(Scott Pelley: [1957-present]: American broadcaster, journalist and author).
“Food gained by deceit tastes sweet to a man, but he ends up with a mouth full of gravel.”
(Proverbs 20:17)
“Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”
(Matthew 7:15)
Parrot N.B.
I’m going on holiday with my owner to the Isles of Scilly, so my next blog won’t be until Wednesday 2nd September.
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