What Kind of Saint Are You? A Journey Toward Greatness

By Apostle D. Jerome Garrett

Not long ago, I found myself in a spirited conversation with young budding Apostles Cal Reaves and Cletis Reaves. That talk sparked a revelation—a prophetic analogy rooted in the behaviors of birds and their striking similarities to people in the Church. The deeper we explored, the clearer it became not every believer is soaring. Some are pecking, some are circling, and some are avoiding flights altogether. The question that kept echoing in my spirit was this:

What kind of saint are you—and are you walking in your God-ordained greatness?

Scripture reminds us in Isaiah 40:31,

“But those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles...”

Let’s take a closer look at these "bird-like" saints that often show up in the sanctuary and in ourselves.

1. Chicken Saints: Pecking at Others

Chickens have wings but never fly. Instead, they scratch at the ground and peck at whatever is near—even each other.

In the Church, chicken saints focus on petty disagreements and spiritual drama. They peck at others instead of pursuing purpose.

🔹 James 5:9 warns, “Do not grumble against one another...”

Greatness requires maturity. Don’t waste energy picking at people—rise above it.

2. Turkey Saints: Full but Fruitless

Turkeys get fat on provision but never take flight. They're satisfied with being fed but do nothing with it.

These are the believers who attend regularly, shout loudly, but never move forward. They're full of word but empty of works.

🔹 Proverbs 24:33-34 cautions against spiritual slumber.

Greatness requires motion. Don’t settle in spiritual comfort zones—walk worthy of your calling.

3. Ostrich Saints: Fast but Flightless

Ostriches run quickly, but they’ll never fly. Worse, they bury their heads when threatened. These saints avoid conflict, confrontation, and the real work of transformation.

🔹 2 Timothy 1:7 declares that God has given us “a spirit of power, love, and sound mind.”

Greatness requires courage. Stop running from the call—face it head-on.

4. Buzzard Saints: Feeding on What’s Dead

Buzzards are scavengers. They thrive off decay, circling old and dead things.

Buzzard saints won’t let go of past hurt, church wounds, or outdated assignments. They feed on the offenses of yesterday.

🔹 Isaiah 43:18-19 encourages us: “Forget the former things… I am doing a new thing!”

Greatness demands forward movement. Don’t dwell in what died. Embrace the new.

5. Parrot Saints: Repeating Without Revelation

Parrots are known for repeating what they hear, not what they know.

Parrot saints echo sermons, phrases, and cliches—but lack personal revelation.

🔹 Colossians 3:16 says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly...”

Greatness requires depth. Study the Word, live the Word, and speak with understanding.

6. Eagle Saints: Soaring with Vision

Eagles fly higher than any other bird. They use the storm winds to go higher and have vision that pierces miles.

Eagle saints rise above noise, navigate storms, and pursue purpose.

🔹 Deuteronomy 28:13 declares, “You shall be above only, and not beneath.”

Greatness is your birthright. Soar in strength, purpose, and destiny.

7. Hummingbird Saints: Small but Impactful

Hummingbirds are tiny but powerful. They fly with precision and joy.

These saints bring life into the atmosphere. They may not have platforms, but their persistence shakes heaven.

🔹 Nehemiah 8:10: “The joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Greatness isn’t about size. Keep showing up in joy and power.

8. Dove Saints: Agents of Peace

Doves are symbols of the Holy Spirit and peace.

Dove saints carry calm into chaos. Their ministry is reconciliation and healing.

🔹 Matthew 5:9: “Blessed are the peacemakers...”

Greatness restores. Be the bridge, not the breaker.

9. Peacock Saints: All Show, No Substance

Peacocks are flashy and proud. They draw attention—but for what?

Peacock saints focus on image over intimacy, platform over purity.

🔹 1 Samuel 16:7: “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Greatness is built in the hidden place. Choose substance over spotlight.

10. Sparrow Saints: Trusting and Humble

Sparrows are small, yet God cares deeply for them.

Sparrow saints quietly trust the Father. They serve without recognition, and yet heaven sees.

🔹 Matthew 10:29: “Not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.”

Greatness is grounded in trust. Remain humble. God sees your faithfulness.

Final Word: What Kind of Saint Are You?

You may see a little bit of each bird in yourself. That’s okay. But today is the day to decide:

Will I remain grounded, or will I soar? Will I be a saint stuck in patterns, or a saint pressing into purpose? Philippians 3:14 says,

“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Your calling is high. Your purpose is great. Your wings were never meant for scratching or strutting—they were made to fly.

So again I ask: What kind of saint are you? And better yet…What kind of saint will you become?