Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Robert Howson
Tuesday, May 112, 2026
Making comparisons is often relegated to the realm of the unacceptable. It’s probably placed there with good intent since comparison is often done to demean or belittle another for the purpose of advancing one’s own position. That’s understandable. But comparisons are helpful tools if used properly. Consider the bird feeder with its willing partakers. In both pictures a male House Finch is present. That, along with the feeder itself, is the constant given us. The variables in the two pictures are the two blue colored birds also enjoying the handout. In real life, it’s safe to assume the House Finch is relatively the same size in both pictures even though the image size may seem to dictate otherwise.
Which brings us to the identification of those two similar looking blue birds. A superficial look might lead us to assume they are the same, but look again. One is considerably larger than the House Finch while the other is somewhat smaller. Don’t let the size of the image confuse you. Remember, the finch remains the same size. It doesn’t fly away to some bush and put on another costume to fool the observer; it’s still the same bird. Knowing this allows us to confirm the smaller blue bird is an Indigo Bunting while the larger one is a Blue Grosbeak.
In a world that is perpetually changing, we need a constant that we can look to for assistance in finding true worth, true value. God’s law, written long ago, provides us with a standard upon which we can depend. “Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the Lord your God gives you for all time.” (Deuteronomy 4:4) Notice, Moses places special emphasis upon the permanence of the law; He specifically states that it is “for all time”. That’s pretty inclusive, inclusive enough to include today for you and me.