My attention has recently been captured by a family of small birds. Friends who know more about such things have told me that they are probably wrens. Several weeks ago, I discovered a nest on our front porch containing two tiny eggs. The next day there were three, and then I saw four the day after that. Eventually, there were six eggs on which Momma Wren would rest. My daughters and I wondered if and when they might hatch. Our curiosities were answered quite appropriately on the morning of Mother’s Day.
I saw Momma Wren travelling with food in her beak, and over the days, I could see her children growing. Both the simplicity and complexity of the process was fascinating and beautiful. It was also faith-building.
In Matthew 6:26, Jesus says, “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” In watching the birds, it was obvious to me that God’s creation was at work. He cares about birds, every last one of them. And if He cares about birds, how much more does He care about me?
This morning, “our” birds were gone. I was heart-broken. I do not know what happened to them, but I fear that a predator got them in the middle of the night. I will never know. But God knows.
In the context of talking about little birds in Matthew 6, Jesus highlights that we humans often get consumed with trivial matters like what we will eat, drink, or wear. Sometimes we think on more meaningful matters involving life and death. Through the trivial and the meaningful, God knows us, and God cares. Some may say, “Your God didn’t care enough for those birds, and He certainly doesn’t care about a lot of things going on in the world right now!” I understand the frustration at the heart of such criticisms, and I at times have been bothered by similar thoughts. At the same time, I realize that God’s care does not prevent us from harm, loss, or even death. God’s care can see us through them all, however.
Later in Matthew 6 as he talked about fields of beautiful lilies, Jesus says, “If God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?”
It has been said that attaining “big faith” is less about the size of one’s faith and more about the size of one’s god. When I struggle with my faith, I try to remind myself of the bigness of God’s power and God’s love. That power and love worked together to give us what we all need more than anything else – victory over death through the resurrection of Jesus. A little faith in a big God amounts to great faith!
God attends to birds and grass from their birth to their death. And God is certainly paying attention to you today, no matter where you may find yourself. Be blessed by placing a little faith in such a God. Bless others by helping them know how much He cares!
I saw Momma Wren travelling with food in her beak, and over the days, I could see her children growing. Both the simplicity and complexity of the process was fascinating and beautiful. It was also faith-building.
In Matthew 6:26, Jesus says, “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” In watching the birds, it was obvious to me that God’s creation was at work. He cares about birds, every last one of them. And if He cares about birds, how much more does He care about me?
This morning, “our” birds were gone. I was heart-broken. I do not know what happened to them, but I fear that a predator got them in the middle of the night. I will never know. But God knows.
In the context of talking about little birds in Matthew 6, Jesus highlights that we humans often get consumed with trivial matters like what we will eat, drink, or wear. Sometimes we think on more meaningful matters involving life and death. Through the trivial and the meaningful, God knows us, and God cares. Some may say, “Your God didn’t care enough for those birds, and He certainly doesn’t care about a lot of things going on in the world right now!” I understand the frustration at the heart of such criticisms, and I at times have been bothered by similar thoughts. At the same time, I realize that God’s care does not prevent us from harm, loss, or even death. God’s care can see us through them all, however.
Later in Matthew 6 as he talked about fields of beautiful lilies, Jesus says, “If God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?”
It has been said that attaining “big faith” is less about the size of one’s faith and more about the size of one’s god. When I struggle with my faith, I try to remind myself of the bigness of God’s power and God’s love. That power and love worked together to give us what we all need more than anything else – victory over death through the resurrection of Jesus. A little faith in a big God amounts to great faith!
God attends to birds and grass from their birth to their death. And God is certainly paying attention to you today, no matter where you may find yourself. Be blessed by placing a little faith in such a God. Bless others by helping them know how much He cares!
RSS Feed