The following was written as part of a devotional “program” we are doing for women’s ministry at our church – Mill Creek Foursquare. I am happy to be able to participate as a contributor!
I have a few hummingbirds who live in the cedar tree in my back yard. Since the loss of my dogs, they bring great joy to my life as they buzz around and eat from my feeders. Occasionally, they will buzz my head or hover within four or five feet of me, just looking at me for a few seconds seemingly to see what I am up to. I read once that they average about the weight of a nickel! I was surprised the first time I saw one sit on the end of a small zip tie and it did not bend. They are so tiny!
Jesus talked a bit about some little birds in Luke 10:29-31. “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”
I think about these little birds and how tiny they are in comparison to the world around them. When we are at the beach, there are also eagles and my little hummingbirds are about the size of one of their “toes”! If they had such thought processes, how overwhelming the world would seem to them. But they do not. They just live their little lives focused on the next thing and doing what it is they do.
Jesus returned to the sparrows again in Luke 12:6-7, and basically repeated what He said the first time. Whenever something is repeated in the Bible, we can be sure that God is trying to make a point. With the birds, He is telling us not to fear but to have faith, trusting Him in circumstances that we cannot control. In another point in these passages, Jesus asks the people if they can add “a single hour to [their] life span” by being anxious (12:25). God loves us passionately and desires for us to rest in Him.
When we focus on circumstances and surroundings, our world can seem overwhelming on a “normal” day. This virus has turned things upside-down at the very least for most of us. Some are being impacted financially and others emotionally in small or gigantic ways on a daily basis. Our Pastor prayed at the beginning of this stay-home order, “God, You are still God and You are not surprised by any of this.” That is so very true and is a statement that I have repeated often as this week has brought new realities for us in the frame of decreased hours/pay but continuing to work an “essential” job with the public.
Rest assured, God will bring something good out of this nightmare called COVID-19 as only He can. In the meantime, do not think that He has forgotten you or does not see you. God is not subject to time or space and He will bring peace to your heart and mind as you choose to engage with Him.
Three questions for reflection / journaling
- Jesus, where have I made my circumstances bigger than You?
- How can I help myself to be mindful every day that You are with me and for me?
- Where have I seen/felt God’s presence in my life in the midst of this time of uncertainty?
Abba-God, I thank You that You are God, You are still in control and none of this is a surprise to You. I choose to remember that You see me and know each circumstance of my life and I choose day by day and hour by hour to leave my life in Your more-than-capable hands. Help me, in each new day to continue to place my trust in You, to focus on You. In the name of Your Son Jesus, amen.
(Listen to Pastor Chris’s message on Peace in the Pandemic: https://www.mc4s.org/podcast )
Denise Travanti 