Worry, Anxiety and Birdfeeders

I've been thinking a lot about birds, little birds; in fact, I've been pre-occupied with sparrows lately. One winter Bob make a number of birdfeeders which now sit on the fence in our back yard. He stocks them every day, sometimes twice a day, with birdseed. Lately the feeders have been full of birds, little sparrows, blacks birds, doves, etc. They sit on the fence waiting their turn, others are in the trees waiting to follow. They empty the feeders each day, sometimes twice a day and search the ground for the seed that may have fallen.

Every time I look out the back windows I see sparrows. And every time I see the sparrows I am reminded of the words of Jesus in Matthew 10 and Luke 12.

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."

Our Father knows each of those little birds in my backyard. He knows if any will "fall to the ground" today and He cares for them. Jesus used the example of the sparrows to confront the worry and anxiety in our lives.

We are worth more than many sparrows to our Father, so much so that He knows the most intimate details about each of us, even the number of the hairs on our heads.

We are a very anxious society, and truthfully, this life offers much about which to be anxious. Lately, I've battled some health issues, nothing life-threatening, just issues that may be here to stay and demand some work to manage symptoms. And that can make me anxious, nervous and uncertain about my abilities to do what I need to do.

Sparrows. Those tiny birds in my backyard gather every morning and wait for Bob to awaken and replenish their feeder. They are not anxious. They sit in trees and swing on branches and sing their praise to God. Somehow they know that Bob won't fail them. He'll be there with their daily supply.

Me. I need to remember every morning that God will not fail me either. He'll be there with my daily supply. I can sit and swing and praise Him certain that He cares for me!

Simplicity

I've been thinking a lot lately about simplicity. Our lives are so complicated on a daily basis, at least I know mine is. Just going to the grocery store anymore is a task that requires a lot of thought and planning. Add in work, church, thoughts of retirement, relationships, politics, studying, and a 50 mile round trip commute to work five days a week, and you can sense how complicated my life can be.

So thoughts of simplicity carry great favor. I believer my Savior loves simplicity. The Good News He brought can even be understood by a child. In fact, He said we all had to receive that Good News like a child.

Children without exception are helpless and dependent. They must be carried and fed and taught before they are capable of walking and cooking and teaching others.

I believe God wants the Body of Christ, His Bride, His Church to be simple -- absolutely and utterly dependent upon Him for everything.

I believe God wants us to depend upon Him in faith for everything we have and everything we do.

I want "The Way" in Middleton to grow, but I cannot make it grow. I must be absolutely and utterly dependent upon Him for every soul that comes through our doors. When visitors come, or even when they don't, I begin to think of all the things I could do -- should do -- must do -- to bring visitors to our church ... until I realize that I'm trying to take over God's work instead of picking up my own.

God grant me the wisdom to NOT try to do his job, the faith to trust Him to do it, and the peace to know that He is doing it. God grant me the strength to do my own job, to pray, to believe, and study and share the Word, and comfort the sheep and love His family.