consider the birds...

 

I don't ordinarily touch on religious subjects in this blog but I wrote this devotion for an upcoming meeting and decided to share it.  In our part of Indiana it is very cold (10 degrees) and snowy today so most churches were closed.  If, like me, you couldn't go to church today, this can be your little dose of religion.

In Luke 12 vs 24 to 26 Jesus says “Consider the ravens: they neither plant nor harvest, they have no silo or barn, yet God feeds them.  You are worth so much more than birds. Who among you by worrying can add a single moment to your life? If you can’t do such a small thing why worry about the rest?”

And in verse 32 “Don’t be afraid little flock, because your Father delights in giving you the kingdom. “

In our pastor’s sermon on January 18, about algorithms, she used the phrase “a grace filled curiosity.”

My husband and I have three bird feeders in our back yard positioned so that we can watch the birds as we eat in our breakfast nook.  Cardinals, blue jays and house finches are regular visitors. 

Every day we watch them demonstrating ‘a grace filled curiosity’ as they flutter from one feeder to another to see what goodies they might discover.  I would like to think that they appreciate the food we put out for them, but Jesus was right, they don’t seem to worry.  They just eat what’s there, when it’s there.

And that, I think, is God’s lesson to us.  He’s not saying “Don’t plan ahead.”  Of course, we all plan ahead.  When we go grocery shopping or order something we need on Amazon we are planning ahead.  It’s human nature and appropriate to plan ahead. 

I think what Jesus is saying is, after you have made your necessary daily plans, take time to relax and enjoy the life you’re living right now.  Take time for some “grace filled curiosity.”

Our snow capped bird feeders.  The birds are all tucked away in their nests, but still it is a beautiful sight.