More than birds

‘This is why I tell you: do not be worried about the food and drink you need in order to stay alive, or about clothes for your body. After all, isn’t life worth more than food? And isn’t the body worth more than clothes? Look at the birds: they do not plant seeds, gather a harvest and put it in barns, yet your Father in heaven takes care of them! Aren’t you worth much more than birds?’ (verses 25,26)

Read Matthew 6:25-34

‘Aren’t you worth more than birds?’ There can come times in your life when you don’t feel worth more than birds. When you feel you’re the smallest, weakest, most insignificant person alive. When you wonder if anyone would notice if you weren’t there anymore.

People still say hello, smile, even spend time with you. But when you’re buried in those dark times, you cry out for someone who will know every bit of you, and love you – and like you – no matter what. You can’t put these kinds of feelings into words. They’re too deep, too heavy, and it’s easier to brush off any expressions of concern with an ‘I’m fine. It’s OK.’ Inside, your soul is screaming. Outside, your smile is weak and unconvincing.

‘Aren’t you worth more than birds?’  You wish you were a bird. No work responsibilities, no mortgage to worry about, no relationships to repair, hearts to heal, tears to weep. As a bird, you could disappear into the sky, look down on the world, all your problems far away. You’d be free, floating in the clouds, sailing wherever the wind would take you.

Ask, ‘Am I worth more than birds?’ Then, listen. ‘Yes. You are my child.’

Lord, I give you these words as sighs from my soul, tears from my heart. Amen.

“Direction for each day” (LCA, Openbook Publishers, 2006)

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