I love this time of year! The birds are singing, and the flowers are blooming. When I get up in the morning and before the sun goes down, I am checking my bird feeders to see what birds have come for a visit. They are fun and relaxing to watch. So far, I have seen blue jays, cardinals, doves, sparrows, mockingbirds and many others stopping by for a bite to eat.
Every now and then, there is an imposter. A squirrel happens to stop by and sits right in the middle of the bird feeder and shoves food in his mouth with both hands. Since I love animals, it is so cute to watch, but the bird feeder is really for the birds.
As I have been relaxing on my patio and watching the birds, I have been focused on a scripture. Jesus said:
“Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” Matthew 6:26
This passage from Matthew 6:25-34 and the Sermon on the Mount is where Jesus is telling His followers not to worry. There are several truths in this passage that are good for us to recall. But I want to focus on the value that is placed on His followers.
Jesus said that we are of more value than the birds. The birds don’t have to do anything, but scripture says that God cares and provides for them. If He cares for the birds the way He does, then how much more does He care for us.
This statement is a gem to me! When I think that God feeds and provides for even the smallest creature, it brings comfort knowing that I am being cared for by the Lord Himself. Jesus, in His own words, said I am of more value than the birds. He is placing significance on me.
This passage goes on to tell us not to worry. Three times Jesus said not to worry. We all know this is difficult to live by. I’m sure many of you are just like me, staying awake at night worrying about things we have no control over. Oh, if we could just learn to rest in Jesus.
A friend of mine once told me “Worry is misuse of your imagination”. This couldn’t be more true. We allow our minds to be overcome with imagining the what ifs. Jesus clearly said it is of no benefit to worry (vs. 27).
Jesus went on to give us instructions on worry:
“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (v.33).
“Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things” (v.34).
We all have things in our life that cause us to worry. But, worry is an imposter. When we worry, we can easily lose our focus on life today. We will spend our time and energy imagining things that probably will never happen.
Today, I urge you to focus on the truth of this scripture. Don’t allow worry to become your imposter. Don’t let it rob you of the peace in knowing God cares for you. Don’t let it take up residence in your life. Allow God to take care of you today.
Fun Fact: This little guy was having a snack in my backyard. God is so good to give us such beautiful gifts.
Today’s prayer: Father, thank you for the way you care for me. Help me to trust you for my every day needs, spiritual, physical and emotionally. Forgive me for the times that I have let worry rob me of peace. Thank you Lord Jesus for the way you care for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.