Of all the things Jesus ever tells us to do, this one may be the easiest of them all: “Look at the birds” (Matthew 6:26). Before you look it up, I will go ahead and tell you there is more to the verse. There is always an important reason Jesus tells us to do something.
In June, I enjoyed tracking the daily progress of a dove family right outside our front door. Sometimes in the early morning light, I would leave the house and look over there and see mama dove checking me out to make sure I wasn’t threatening her or her eggs. Arriving home each night, I would glance over to see how things were going.
And then it happened. The eggs hatched, and two baby doves were finally here. It was a beautiful thing to see. I’m glad I snapped a few photos before they were gone.
I am grateful for the birds God sends my way. The first time I saw the empty nest, the words of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount came back to me and God spoke to my heart:
“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? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?”
(Matthew 6:26-27, NLT)
It hit me: here at the midpoint of what has been a disrupted, crazy 2020, it is time to look at the birds and build my trust. The birds are still remaining calm and carrying on. God has provided all of their needs. He has provided life itself. And we should see that he is even more lovingly attentive when it comes to us.
Thank you, God, for the words of Jesus and the reminder to take another look at the birds. Thank you for taking note of us.
Please allow it to build kingdom trust within us—a trust that is not based on our circumstances, but entirely upon you. As we depend on you to faithfully provide for us, help us focus on seeking first your kingdom and your right ways. As we trust you, help us take each day as it comes and whatever comes with it (Mt. 6:33-34).