Many scriptures in the Bible compares our human characteristics as that of animals and creatures i.e., sheep, worms, eagles, wolves, and dogs. I share the story of my rooster attack in my podcast episode #37, “My Rooster Attack.” So, comparing traits of roosters is not because I am wise, it is because of God’s intuitiveness and creativity concerning us as humans and leaders.
As a youngster, I delighted in the stories of roosters, especially from the lyrics and nursery rhymes of “Cock-a-doodle-doo.” Images of roosters parading around the barnyard were as real to my life as the pages in the book. Over the decades, our homes continue to be filled with images of different cock-a-doodle-doos through wall paintings, dishes, ceramics, and yard fixtures. So, my encounter with my Aunt Beaula’s rooster, though haunting and unforgettable, is much less traumatizing today. Now, I can reflect upon the characteristics of her barnyard birds as characteristics relatable to my encounters with humankind. How?
First of all, roosters can be very noisy. I have experienced waking up out of my sleep, by the noise of a cock-a-doodle-doo. You probably can imagine what that is like when you want to sleep in, and that fellow gives you no mercy. You cannot quiet a noisy rooster. That cock-a-doodle-doo sounds goes on and on until he is satisfied. He will crow at his pleasure, day or night.
Second, he delights in himself and his (or her) beauty. His pride is turned inwardly. He knows that he is different from the other chickens because of his bright colors. He holds his head high and his glory is a crown or comb on top of his head.
Third, he is a commander-in-chief in the barnyard. He is territorial. He demands attention from his lowly subjects – hens. His strutting ways or mannerism gets him the attention that he wants. His survival among the bird kingdom is elevated because of his overbearing personality and submission of the hens.
Truly not all roosters act in this manner. Some are more docile than others; however, their ways suggest that they have an authorized position of leadership that they have inherited, at best. How they lead, will depend on their character and the hens in the barnyard. In our series about roosters, we will share more about roosters as leaders. This will give you an opportunity to comment and understand the “rooster personality.” Let us know how you see roosters in your “barnyard.”
#leadership #servantleadership #christianwriting #roosterwriting
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