A Lesson From Penguins...

The Adelie stand only about 18 inches tall. They gather to make their nests on the rookeries scattered along the Antarctic coast. The olds males go right to the same spots where their old nests were located from last year. They then start to collect small rocks, which will be used to line the nests. A week or two later, the younger males and females arrive at the rookery. The female penguins who have mated before look for their mates from last year. The young males and females who have never mated have to find partners before they can start building nests. 

Their space is about one square yard. While the place is crowded with thousands of penguins, it is important that each nest have its own private space. The pairs of penguins try to defend their territories against intruders, but quarrels often break out when neighbors refuse to obey the rules.  Just like the penguins, sometimes we Christians, fight with one another.

How do Adelie penguins build their nests? They first make a hollow in the ground. This is not easy because the ground in the rookery may still be frozen hard. The male and female lie down on the ground and use the warmth of their bodies to thaw a spot for their nest. Next they hollow it out by scratching with their feet. Now they need to line the nest with rocks to keep it dry. This is not an easy task. The penguins often try to steal them from each other’s nests. This causes fights to take place before all the penguin couples have their nests lined and ready for eggs. 

After the nests are finished, then comes the courtship and mating which lasts a month. In November, the female penguins begin to lay their eggs. Each female usually lays two eggs about two or three days apart. It takes 35 days for babies to hatch. During this time the parents keep the eggs warm by sharing the job. The males take the first turn on the nests after the females have laid their eggs. 

The new mothers go to sea to eat. Penguins only eat when in the water. They take turns eating and then resting on the nest. When the Adelie chicks break out of their eggs. They do not look much like their parents. Their bodies are covered with soft, gray, fluffy feathers of down while the parents have sleek black and white feathers. Baby Christians don't always look like the parents, the parents of Christianity must help train the babies to know what is right and what is wrong.

They stay in the nest 2 or 3 weeks, keeping warm under one of their parent’s bodies. After this time, they leave the nests but are still dependent on the parents for their food, which is carried to them in the parent’s special pouches in their throats where undigested food is stored. The baby puts it head right inside its parent’s mouth to eat. Now both parents go to sea to find enough food for themselves and their chicks. 

The chicks in the rookey gather together in groups of 50 or 60 which are called a crèche or day nursery. It is thought that some adult penguins serve as nurses for the chicks in the group. They huddle together to keep warm and are less likely to be attacked by their worst enemies on land the skuas. These gull-like birds will kill and eat any chick that wanders off by itself. There are many enemies around for the Christian, we must stay close to Jesus otherwise we will be lunch, not literally, Satan the arch enemy will eventually destroy us.

These babies cannot go into the water to get their own food until they have waterproof coats of feathers like their parents. At one month they begin to lose their fluffy gray down. The next 3 months, they grow the smooth black and white feathers. Their old feathers fall out, and bright new ones will take their place. This is called molting. Finally they are ready to go to sea. They do not need swimming lessons. From the beginning, they are as much at home in the sea as the adult penguins. 

After the chicks have grown up on land, the whole pack goes back to sea. When they come to the edge of the ice they are reluctant to jump in the water. Now, the leopard seal is often waiting for a meal under the water. These animals are the main enemies of the adult Adelie penguins. The pack all seem to be pushing and shoving until one falls into the water. Just like those penguins, Jesus was the first one to go into the water, and when He resurrected and sent the Holy Spirit, then the "other penguins" disciples knew it was safe to go and preach!

They all wait to see if a leopard seal is lurking under the surface. If the penguin comes up it means the water is safe and they all plunge into it. The penguin that went into the water first, risked his life. The others wait until there is less danger to enter the water. We must be always watching for danger, for we don't know when the devil will next attack us. He is waiting right by us, to tempt us into doing wrong. We must send Jesus before us to see if the way is safe, and once He gives us permission to go, we know for sure that the way is safe!

Remember the lessons from the penguins, and see if you can think of any more, I am sure there is plenty that you might dig up! Search for the treasure. There is always something to learn from God's second book, Nature.