Owl embodies Jesus’ injunction for his disciples to be ‘as wise as serpents, innocent as doves’. Dan Holland explains …..
Owl first met Ostrich at Bible college. He was obviously a ‘go getter’ and was a most conscientious suitor. She knew instinctively they were meant to be together, and sure enough they married. This changed the course of her life. Owl had no desire whatsoever for a public ministry, but she exemplified a quiet and consistent faith with no fuss or drama.
One thing she objects to is the expectation that she should fulfil the role of a stereotypical pastor’s wife. She shakes her head as she mutters, “I’m my own person thank you very much!” However, Owl is wise enough to know that Ostrich is going to need a lot of help as he progresses into his own ministry. He suffers with dominant characters who are confident he will do exactly as they wish, and be delighted to do so! Much of Owl’s advice to him centres around avoidance of over-committing, and ‘taking his head out of the sand’ to see what was really happening!
Ostrich loves Owl dearly, and trusts her opinion on knotty issues. She always seems able to size up the most complex issues simply, and is regularly proved right, even if it takes a while. A couple of times Owl saved Ostrich’s ‘bacon’ by spotting serious problems in the congregation before they got out of hand. Conversely Ostrich was blind to most things even when they were directly under his nose! Owl had planned to avoid being under the spotlight, but Ostrich’s ministry calling scuppered any possibility of that!
The females in the church gravitate to her – and to her quiet and evident integrity. She is an unthreatening presence, and people feel instantly comfortable in Owl’s company. Because she is so unassuming and willing to be unnoticed, people don’t always realise that she is the main reason for Ostrich’s success. Owl has no enemies and does nobody any harm, but likewise she is also nobody’s fool, nor ‘a pushover’.
Owl embodies Jesus’ injunction for His disciples to be ‘as wise as serpents, innocent as doves’. She listens unblinking to the confidences of the new Christians who open their hearts to her. There is no hint of judgement or disgust, but rather the wisdom of a life lived in the world , and experience of God – who is the expert redeemer. Owl can always navigate through the darkness to find a way back home.
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Dan Holland is a UK missionary with Through Faith Missions (‘TFM’). He wrote “Through the Tunnel – Free at Last” published by PUSH Publishing, as his personal testimony.
Recently Dan has produced two short books – “Caring for the New Christian” and “Growing as a New Christian” (for local fellowships, and for the new ‘convert’, respectively). Links here:
https://christian-publications-int.com/CaringForNewChristians.html
https://christian-publications-int.com/GrowingAsANewChristian.html
The above article, and any that follow, are based on characters highlighted in both books.
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