Birds, like humans, have different quirks.

Some birds like to have everything “just so” before they sing.

The time of day has to be just right, they have to be perched at the top of just the right tree, or they have to be within earshot of a desirable mate.

They would never think of singing if the conditions weren’t to their liking, or if they were busy doing something else at the time, like flying.

Other birds aren’t quite so picky.

Take the American goldfinch, for example.

This handsome little songbird has some unusual traits. One of them is that his flight pattern resembles a roller-coaster instead of a level path.

Another is that the goldfinch is perfectly happy singing while he’s flying.

He doesn’t wait until just the right circumstances fall into place—this yellow fellow sings while he goes about his daily business.

Perhaps we can take a page from the goldfinch’s book?

So often, we only sing God’s praises when everything is going right in our lives. If the circumstances we find ourselves in aren’t to our liking, we clamp our mouths shut and wait.

We tell ourselves we’ll praise God once we get healed, or once we finally get pregnant, or when we get that promotion or spouse or new house.

But Scripture tells us we should praise God at all times:

“I will praise the LORD at all times. I will constantly speak his praises.” (Psalm 34:1 NLT)

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4 NIV)

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (I Thessalonians 5:18 NLT)

These verses tell us to thank and praise God no matter what the circumstances. We should sing His praises while we’re going about our daily lives, not just at certain times or at the high points of life.

So let’s sing God’s praises even if things aren’t going perfectly in our lives, even if our flight path is a bit of a roller coaster. Praise Him even in the midst of our adversity, while facing unwelcome circumstances. Proclaim the praises of the Lord even if we haven’t seen a manifestation of His promises yet.

“Sing, O barren, you who have not borne! Break forth into song, and cry aloud, you who have not laboured with child! For more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married woman.” (Isaiah 54:1)

Be like the goldfinch: don’t postpone your praise or put off your song.

Sing while you’re still believing for answers to prayer.

Sing while you fly!

© 2020 Lori J. Cartmell. All rights reserved.