For the last 10 days or so, my family and I have had the privilege of watching a family of house wrens in our backyard. Initially, we were very pleased when two adult birds took up residency in the birdhouse our son made. But then! One day we heard a faint chirping from within the home. We were delighted to see (and hear!) that an entire family was now housed in the simple wooden lodging. Now, I wouldn’t say I’m an avid bird lover, but this whole situation has been quite fascinating to watch! Day and night the mom and dad continuously fly in and out of the home retrieving food to feed their babies.
For all of the recent bird watching, I can’t help but think of two particular times Jesus referenced birds in his teachings. The first came during the sermon on the Mount when he preached to not be anxious. “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?” (Matthew 6:26). The second came a few chapters later when he spoke to his disciples about the persecution they were sure to face. “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father…fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29,31).
In both of these passages, Jesus uses the example of birds to demonstrate the Father’s love and care for His creation. But in these verses, he clearly teaches that we- His children– are of infinitely more value than these precious winged creatures. He assures us that we can trust the Father to take care of us and that nothing can happen to us apart from His will.
As I’ve typed these words on my backyard patio, I couldn’t begin to count the number of times the wren parents have come in and out of the home, each time offering nourishment to their little ones. They have tirelessly flown to and fro for only this purpose! If this is how a .38 ounce animal takes care of its young (and how God provides for even the smallest of animals) then we should have no trouble accepting the above words of Jesus!
And yet, how often we forget. How often we fear with failing faith. In these moments, we must return again and again to the words spoken by our Savior- both those he spoke regarding the birds as well as those spoken to the disciples, who, like us, often doubted in times of difficulty.
When they were frightened by the storm (and before Jesus rebuked the winds and the sea) he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” (Matthew 8:26) And when they were terrified at the sight of him walking on the water, he spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid” (Matthew 14:27). Finally, upon hearing the voice of God at the transfiguration, the disciples (rightfully!) fell to their faces and were very much afraid. But Jesus said to them, “Rise, and have no fear” (Matthew 17:7).
Our Savior absolutely quashes the idea of living a fearful, anxious life. Though we will be tempted to worry in life’s uncertain moments, we need look no further than our own backyards to be reminded of the love and care of our heavenly Father. To be reminded, as Civilla D. Martin wrote, that “His eye is on the sparrow, and He watches over me.” Indeed! The Overseer of our souls does not sleep nor slumber, and He will not forsake His own. Rather, He calls us who are of more value than the birds to rise and have no fear.
nicolebyrum.com 