MUSINGS

INSTINCTS

It was a late June morning in the North of Scotland when we saw a tiny fledgling swift resting on a window ledge. It was quite motionless, perhaps tired after its first flight. The miracle is that by early August that bird—having left Britain in advance of its parents—will be winging its way on the 5000 to 7000 mile journey to its winter home in southern Africa. By what means? By God-given instinct. The God who has given birds such amazing instincts has also given spiritual instincts to His children. As the work of God begins, certain instincts are implanted. As that work proceeds, and the Holy Spirit is received, they become deeper and stronger. It is vital to our preservation in the christian way that we remain true to those instincts. They will help in many situations. They may tell me that the books I read are damaging; that the company I keep is not suitable; that certain teaching is not in accord with the truth. Thus there is salvation in heeding right instincts and not stifling them.

Mr. Taylor made the striking statement, “Very often instinct is truer in us than intelligence”

(N.S. Vol. 31, p.124). One looks back on circumstances in which if one had been true to instinct it would have meant preservation from damage and loss. May the Lord help us to be submissive to the inward senses that God has given, so that we may be kept from evil and preserved in the course in which we shall prove His blessing and protection.

FCM

Published by F. C. Mutton, 22 Christchurch Road, Ilford, Essex IG1 4QY, England Printed by High Speed Printing Limited, 43 Conduit Street, London, W1S 2YJ