The grazing animals of Africa’s grasslands are blessed by a bird that not only acts as a warning system, but keeps them healthy as well.  It’s known as an Oxpecker, (or “tickbird”).  About the size of a Starling they perch on animal’s backs and eat disease carrying ticks and insects.  And when danger stalks the grasslands the wary birds voice an alarm which alerts the animals to the danger.

     Most animals seem to gladly tolerate the intrusion.  The tickbirds even enter the wide-open mouth of sleeping crocodiles eating decayed flesh from between its teeth. (Who needs a dentist?!)

     Because they do good and also warn of impending danger, I refer to them as “missionary birds.”  After all, Christian missionaries dedicate their lives to do good and to warn.  Throughout this world missionaries have been responsible for setting up hospitals, schools, colleges, and churches.  They also tell people of their need for salvation, and warn them of the disaster that falls upon people who do not accept this eternal gift from God.

     Missionaries heed God’s command in Ezekiel 33:7-9 (New Living Translation).  “Now, son of man, I am making you a watchman for the people…[so] listen to what I say and warn them for me.   If I announce that some wicked people are sure to die and you fail to warn them about changing their ways, then they will die in their sins, but I will hold you responsible for their deaths.  But if you warn them to repent and they don’t repent, they will die in their sins, but you will not be held responsible.”

     Yes, God wants every Christian to be a missionary.  He wants them to warn the unsaved people of their impending eternal death, and tell them of God’s rescue plan found in John 3:16, “…but God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”