Mobbing (Get yourself a good bird)

Against the backdrop of a clear blue sky, birds of prey spread their robust wings and float. Hundreds of feet above the ground they appear small yet majestic, their subtle moves forcibly profound. An agile tilt takes them back and forth, left to right, up and down. The scene is a production for observers as we reminisce back to days when we were four and wished to fly, wanting to command the skies.

Zoom in and the reality looks much different. The bird of prey is not performing in an air show, it is not putting on a spectacle for human delight. No, it is at work. It is searching for the vulnerable, an opportunity to delightfully capitalize on the demise of a lesser piece of meat. It is searching, panning, waiting for prey.

Just as your mind grasps this reality and your heart bends for those at the bottom of the food chain, two new birds enter the sky. Small, unnamed birds take chaotic flight and a brawl begins overhead. The masterful soaring of the bird of prey is interrupted by the poignant picking of these two small unknowns. One swoop from the right, a tiny grab with a talon. One swoop then from the left, a small jab with a beak. Then again from the right, followed by another on the left. Three birds roll through the sky in an absurd display of nature. The prey below are safe, for the time being, as these two, small superheroes dawn their capes and aggressively attack. Sure, they are the underdogs, but, in rhythm with each other, spectators recognize the value of two versus one. There is power in numbers.

This bird practice is called “mobbing.” It is an innate behavior typically found in smaller birds that cannot win the battle singlehandedly. Small birds are prey, too, especially in the vulnerable season of raising their offspring. When they recognize a bird of prey hunting in the sky, they gather their mob and attack together, in tandem. One small bird would only be a nuisance to the larger bird; however, two birds become a calculated clash. A third mob member watches from a distance and sneaks in for the surprise factor, if necessary.

All this to protect what is precious. Teamwork implemented to bring down the enemy, to keep him at bay. A declaration in the sky: you, bird of prey, are not welcome here.

My friend, who is your mobbing buddy? Who is in your corner, willing to battle with you against your enemy? Who is willing to float with you in the sky and nab, pick, and bite at the schemes of the devil so that together you can declare: you, Satan, are not welcome here!?

When God tells us in the Word that we as believers should live in community (Ecc. 4:9-10), He is not making a suggestion. He is giving us a mobbing flight plan. He knows we are going to face trials and fall prey to the schemes of Satan. Similarly to the bird of prey, our enemy is going to hunt and attempt to wreak havoc on all that is precious in our lives. Thankfully, God never abandons us in the fight.

Feel defeated? Brokenhearted? Exhausted? Isolated?

There you are, wounded prey on display. The enemy swoops in and takes advantage of a weak moment when your head bobbed too far above the shelter of the ground. His talons tighten and the clutch cuts off your hope. In vulnerability, you find yourself ensnared, limp in the grip.

Sound familiar?

Here is the good news: this doesn’t have to be your familiar story. It can be rescripted, new ink can write a different perspective. The Word of God tells us that we do not fight against flesh and blood (although we as humans spend a lot of time in this arena) but our real and draining fight is in what is unseen - there is a whole battleground in the spiritual realm that is at constant work for our soul (Eph. 6:12). The enemy is actively looking for prey and will devour the vulnerable and unprotected without a second thought.

So how do we re-write the story? We mob correctly. We fight from victory, not from fear. We use weapons that are not fashioned by frail or tainted hands. We never go at it alone. We attack with the greatest Victor and with those He has placed in our mobbing clan.

Essentially, here is the Scriptural mobbing plan:

Be prepared. You will have trouble (John 16:33). Know that ahead of time to negate surprise attacks. The enemy views you as prey.
Be prayerful. The battle belongs to the Lord but you need to know Him to trust Him (Isaiah 54:17). He is the only mobber who already has full victory over the enemy. He is never the prey.
Be purposeful. Invite others to be your mob. God directs us to carry each other’s burdens, to look to their interests, to build others up (Gal. 6:2). Carefully choose other prey who are willing to mob with you in the name of Jesus.
Be present. Sometimes you are the prey and other times you are the protector of the prey. Be on someone's mob team and be ready to join the flight plan when necessary.

Hear this: mobbing is not about getting even or imparting self-proclaimed justice on those who have hurt you. We do not attack others; instead, we attack the schemes of the enemy.

After all, mobbing protects what is often unseen, hidden in the nest, or nestled underground. This is why you need to find yourself a good bird, a good mobber. Someone who knows you and sees your withdrawal, hears your unspoken doubts, and witnesses your ill-placed angst. Most importantly, someone who knows Jesus and understands that in communion with Him, all things are possible including the take-down of the bird of prey.

What is preying on you today, my friend? Is it your thought life? Are you too focused on the circumstances around you? Is the spirit of “I quit” rampant? Have you received hard news? Whatever is circling your soul and vying for a piece of meat, take this moment, right now, to go mobbing! Even now, pray and then communicate with a mobbing partner that it is time to go to work.

There is power in numbers. When two or more gather (Matt. 18:20), there is a beautiful scene that unfolds. Friends, partners, and loved ones join in spirit and truth to pray through, lift up, weep, correct, edify, breakthrough, and mob!

Eventually, the bird of prey is shut down by the consistent pecking of the pathetic birds that it flies away to find prey less protected. Our enemy is driven away when we mob together under the power and dominion of Christ. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom!

Until next time, my friend,