Good morning. Birds are pretty amazing. Many are colorful, almost all can fly, and some are actually fairly smart. One of the more amazing, to me at least, things that we see from birds is the way they fluff up, spread their tail feathers, and try to look either more menacing or more beautiful.
Turkeys do this, and they are beautiful in their own way. But when comes to an awesome display of puffed up showing off, few birds can match the peacock. Their feathers are long, shaped in interesting ways, and reflect a spectrum of color. Beautiful!
I have seen banty chickens, those are the noisy little chickens that are half the size of other types, puff up their feathers and strut around. Usually, this happens when they are trying to look tough, (hard to do when you are 6 inches tall). Sometimes the roosters will puff up and spread their feathers to impress the hens that are nearby. Banty roosters don’t’ much compare to a peacock when it comes to a proud, feathery display, but they try hard.
God’s Word has something to say about proud displays. Specifically, I am thinking of the definition of Love, which we read in 1 Corinthians 13:1-8. I would especially draw your attention to the definition of Godly love that we read in verse 4 – Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, it does not boast, and it is not proud.
Agape love, the love of God, doesn’t need to puff up or show off. Agape love has nothing to do with who is dressed the best, or who is the tallest-shortest-thinnest-stoutest-cutest-strongest-etc.
I would say that the implications of that one verse might include such thoughts as: “How can I fully love others when my attention is on myself?” “How can I properly point to God when all of my actions say, ‘look at me!’” Maybe the most harsh question of all would be, “how can I lead anyone to see the glory of God when I keep fanning my tail feathers and obscure their vision?”
When the love of God is what you are known for no other display is needed. There is all the power, all the glory, all the beauty imaginable contained in His love.
Vern