The ostrich is one of the most curious creatures in the animal kingdom. The bird is known for its long neck which it uses to peer over the horizon in search of food. What the ostrich is not known for is its ability to fly. In fact the ostrich cannot fly at all.
The ostrich is also known for its tendency to stick its head in the sand. This is a popular saying that is used to describe someone who is avoiding a problem. It is often used as an example of someone who is refusing to face reality.
While the ostrich may not be able to fly it is still a powerful creature. The bird can run up to 40 miles per hour. It is also the largest bird in the world weighing in at up to 400 pounds.
The ostrich is mentioned in the Bible in the book of Job. The bird is used as an example of someone who is refuses to face reality.
“Or why do you think the ostrich migrates leaving its eggs on the ground? It forgets that a foot may crush them that a wild animal may trample them. It treats its young harshly as if they were not its own. It does not care that they perish for God has deprived it of wisdom and given it no share in understanding. When it spreads its wings to run it forgets that it has legs and cannot fly.” – Job 39:13-18
The ostrich is a powerful creature but it is also a creature that is lacking in wisdom. The bird refuses to face reality and it does not care for its young. The ostrich is an example of someone who is avoiding a problem.
What does it mean to “not be like an ostrich”?
The phrase “not be like an ostrich” comes from the Bible verse Matthew 5:13-14 which says “You are the salt of the earth.
But if the salt loses its saltiness how can it be made salty again?
It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
” In this passage Jesus is teaching his disciples that they are to be salt and light in the world and that if they lose their saltiness (or their ability to make a difference in the world) they will be trampled.
