Committed

Recently my friend, Joe, passed along the link to a live webcam of the Eagles of Hornby Island. I've enjoyed it so much as one of the eggs has hatched and the baby is growing. Hopefully the other will hatch soon. Eagle mates share the duties of feeding and guarding their young as they overlook the ridge their huge nest is built on. If the nest were to be forced down by winds or a fallen tree, the two of them would gather it back together and rebuild the structure. Instinct is absolutely fascinating.

But what really strikes me is the commitment of these mates. Like many species, once they reach the age of maturity, they start looking for the mate they'll keep until death. They both make sure their babies are taken care of as they share the duties of parenthood. There is no question of them staying together. It is simply in their nature. So unlike humans. I can't help but compare. We seem so quick to toss away the precious things life has given us. I have to wonder why our Creator didn't place within us this instinct of commitment. The strong urge to unite as one and stay that way until death do us part. I don't believe it has much to do with a committed faith towards Him. Sadly, we are all aware of many Christians who have left their mate for another or simply because they've grown tired of the battles that come with marriage. Often times we don't fight these battles together, but feel we are being attacked individually and therefore go our separate ways. If a committed instinct were there, it would keep us together no matter what. We would work together to raise our young and survive whatever enemy trying to destroy our unity. And as a nation we could also learn from our American symbol. Strength in unity and commitment seems to no longer prevail.

It is now dawn on Hornsby Island. As the female surveys the overlook, she is calling for needed relief. Soon, the male will come with his usual sprig of a conifer branch. Why he does this isn't known. It could be to shade the eaglets or to deodorize the nest. But they have their reasons for everything they do. Survival in the wild is instinctive. It must be done to live. Survival in civilization is not instinctive and rarely a matter of life or death. It is a choice. One we must make on so many levels to obtain whatever degree of lifestyle we desire.

Therefore, there will always be a difference between the wild and the civilized. That's the way it is intended. But as I view these eagles and watch their total dedication and commitment, I can't help but ponder humanity and it's lacking of this particular instinct. How much better off we would be if just a small amount of it were contained within us. Think of the possibilities.

If you would like to enjoy watching the Eagles of Hornby Island along with me, you can find them at http://www.hornbyeagles.com/webcam.htm. And by the way, in the short time it has taken for me to write this, the male has come to relieve the female. After a bit of communication between the two of them, and his settling the branches so he's comfortable, she spreads her cramped wings and soars off. How absolutely beautiful.

Always~
Cha