Birdbrain Thinking
I have been in battle as of late, not one that costs dearly but rather an annoying but comical battle with a bird!
My adversary is an Eastern Towhee, Pipilo erythrophthalmus. He has proved to be a formidable opponent. He caught my attention by constantly flying into the window and pecking on the pane with an annoying rapidity.
I was at first fearful that he would hurt himself, so I tried to deter him from this foolish behavior. I began wildly flailing my arms and shouting for him to just go away. He did leave but only to return, throwing all his weight into the window. This battle ensued for about an hour before it dawned on me that I was not going to stop his ferocity because his birdbrain was seeing another bird, and he was defending his territory. God designed him to act like this during the early spring mating season.
Strategizing
I realized I needed to activate a different strategy, so I found a very colorful blanket and taped it onto the window. He left for about an hour, but then I heard that familiar peck on the window and could see him back at his task of killing that other bird.
My next step was to tape the blanket on the outside of the window. Wow, this worked for about a day. He decided the blanket was a swing that allowed him to perch on it and peck at that stupid other bird.
He was so cute swinging on the blanket that I gave up my fight and decided to name him Tommy the Towhee. Now Ricky and I just tell each other that Tommy is back and chuckle at his defeat of two crazy humans that thought they could best him. The whole ordeal reminded me of a poem by Elizabeth Cheney that reads,
Said the robin to the sparrow, ‘I would really like to know why those anxious human beings rush around and worry so.”
Said the sparrow to the robin, “Friend, I think that it must be that they have no Heavenly Father such as cares for you and me.”
Learning from the Birds
If only we could be like the birds! Apparently, Jesus has a special place in his heart for birds. In the gospels, he referred to them more than once to illustrate His point. In reminding us how valuable we are to our Heavenly Father, Jesus compared us to two sparrows purchased for a penny (see Matthew 10:29-31). If the Father cares for them—and He does—won’t He also care for us? At another time, Jesus urged us to be like the birds; they don’t worry about their next meal. “They do not sow or reap or store away in barns,” he observed, “and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:26).
Take a good look at the remarkable little creatures by your window. God not only cares for them, but He cares for you much, much more. “Are you not better than they?” asked Jesus. It is something to think about.
Because, as silly as this may seem, Jesus truly is for the birds. During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave some illustrations as to why we should not worry, and one of the examples He chose to use was that of birds. Speaking outdoors near the Sea of Galilee, maybe Jesus even gestured toward a few birds flying by:
“Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your Heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?” (Matthew 6:26).
Birds don’t have the promises that we have. Birds aren’t promised eternal life. Birds are not created in the image of God. Yet do birds ever look worried to you? Every morning, like clockwork, they are up at the break of dawn, singing away. Jesus was saying, ‘You see, the birds are fine. You can be fine. If God takes care of birds, won’t He take care of you?”
That doesn’t mean the birds don’t go out and get their food. Some eat vegetation. Others eat seeds. Some eat fish. The rest hang out at McDonald’s and wait for you to drop your fries. Then there are those thieving birds, the seagulls, which hang out at the beaches and wait for you to go into the water so they can fly off with your lunch.
God’s Care
If God takes care of the birds, will He not take care of you as well?
He will protect us, rescue us, be with us, answer us, honor us, satisfy us, give us long life and His salvation if we make God our refuge and our shelter! We just must trust in Him, and he gives us all that. What a bargain!
Don’t fret. God sees all the little birds that fall by the wayside, and He sees all you are struggling with today. He wants you to know that He loves you with His everlasting Love. He wants you to know that He alone knows all about you and every hope and dream you hold so dear. He alone knows the issues in your life. He alone knows the way it will all turn out, but you must yield to Him. God’s plan is the best plan. His plan will make you skillful at His calling. His plan for you will enable you to go forward with confidence. His plan will prevail.
God wants to bless you right now. He is giving you strength for this day and hope for the future. He is giving you peace. Just receive all that He has for you! Rest in the fact that He is looking upon you with grace.
We certainly live in a world of trials and tribulations, but as God’s own blood-bought children, we do not have to fall into the world’s way of worrying – for Christ has instructed us to cast all our cares and worries upon His shoulders – but this comes back to trust. Do we really trust God to keep His promises to us? He has undertaken to be our provider and comforter –our advocate and our help in time of trouble.
Let us take the Lord at His word and trust Him – and when we are faced with a ‘worry,’ let us simply claim His promises of provision – His support and sufficiency, for all His promises are yes and amen in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The made-up word, “ornithelogy,” is not mine. It was coined by theologian and birder John Stott in his book The Birds, Our Teachers and refers to the unique blend of scientific study (Ornithology) and religious appreciation of birds. “I think everybody who takes seriously the fact that God is The Creator of everything should pay attention to aspects of what He has made.
Nature is a window that brings me closer to God. I am constantly looking for God to show me something special in His creation that will give me a God-Pause and allow an opportunity to praise the awesomeness of His creative ability.
My Prayer
Loving Father, I confess that I find it quite easy to worry, but I realize that is foolishness and a demonstration of my lack of faith in Your great and precious promises. Thank You for giving me the example of the little birds who simply rely on Your loving provision and protection – may I rest in Your love, knowing that You will provide for all my needs according to Your riches in glory, in Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN.
Rebekah Marsh
Lean into Jesus Ministries
#rebekahmarshblogs