I woke up this morning, and peered out into our backyard. I was hoping to see sun. I didn’t. I saw a dreary cloudy sky, and I didn’t even see one bird out. The birds bring me joy, even when the sun isn’t shining. I love to hear them sing, watch them work, and move about happily through rain, sun, even snow. I stood for just a moment, gazing at an inactive dreary sight, and as I turned away from the window with nothing but silence, I heard a profound song! The song of ONE sparrow, that projected so loudly and clearly and it made me smile from the inside out.
I spent time in the Word, prayer, asking God for wisdom, and so much more today.
Soon after, I would be faced with circumstances that were super unpleasant to my flesh, but the Spirit of God won out and helped me take to the task, with humility.
When God chooses for you something you know you have not an ounce of ability in yourself to do, but to lean and fall on His every Word and into His everlasting arms. Leaning on His ability. As you cry out to Him. His grace sufficient. His power made perfect in weakness. You ever wonder why God would choose “me” for such an assignment or even multiple assignments that obviously is so beyond your ability? You are constantly reminded how weak you are? You want to do this. You want to do well.
I looked at my weakness today, and considered what He could see in me, that He would choose me for this? I am so aware of my weakness. I need to also be so aware of the attacks of the enemy. And aware of the power of Jesus Who gives me life! In an instant, when the soldier is weary, the attacks come.
I sat in a puddle of tears praying, sobbing and asking Him to help me to carry on. I felt the attacks of the enemy, telling me how pathetic I was and that my weakness a sign of losing a battle. And quickly the Holy Spirit, got my mind straight, and immediately He had me examine what I was doing at this very moment, in my weakness. I was sobbing. I was sowing tears. You know, to that point of your t-shirt is soaked sobbing? I was praying, I was in a quiet corner of my house, resting in God. I was looking to Christ. And He reminded me, that though I struggle, though I lack, I turn to Him. I know who my Lord is and I know my need and Who gives me all I need. My Savior. I look to Him continually. I depend on Him. I turn back quickly to Him. To Him be the glory. My boast is in Him. Not by might, nor by power, but by MY SPIRITS SAYS THE LORD.
Later on, I had walked out into our yard for a moment, serving in a specific way out there. It was quiet, and yet, another sparrow sang a quick little tune. I had to smile again, as God used this, to remind me, He is watching, He is with me, this matters.
God may ask us to walk through events in our lives that no one else will ever see or understand the deep down nitty gritty details.
But then again, you never know, also, who is watching, and perhaps though they may seem unaffected or unmoved by what you are doing, you never know how that “Light” is shining through a dark spot, or how that seed is being planted for future growth.
But God, we are guaranteed, He sees. He sees, understands the emotions to the heart level, and the actual physical tasks He specifically calls us to do. (Psalms 139) He reminds me of Jesus’ humility and the things He came to do. He asserted Himself in meekness and humility. Meekness, perfect strength under perfect control. He asserted himself strongly, vocally, in truth and love when the occasion called for it in order to perfectly represent what was only the perfectly right and good way. Who Perfect God is. HE lovingly pointed what was sin, and wrong, and did it all for love. He served humbly. He did it all for love. Many reject the sacrifice of the cross and neglect to truly grasp to the core of their being how much the Perfect King of Heaven gave all for love.
So do not grow weary in doing good, you will reap a harvest if you do not lose heart. (Gal. 6:9) Follow the Lord in obedience as the God Who is Good all the time. You know how I said, you never know who is watching. How that act and that seed may be planted for future growth. Well, soon after writing this, God showed me several ways, He was using all of this to affect many!!!! Hearts were touched, God moved, He did it!
I confess, I am a sinner. Christ came to die for me, to show His immense love and give me life now and forevermore. I confess, this flesh wrestles with the things He calls me to sometimes, but by His Power, His Spirit, He wins. Praise be to God!
I am thankful for the gift of the song of the Sparrow today. I just knelt again, before God, asking Him to carry me onward with right heart, mind, and focus. I thought about that singing Sparrow. I will take that moment as a specific gift for me!
Maybe next time you hear a Sparrow sing, or see it fly to and fro, you will remember the Lord and His great love for you.
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Matthew 6:25-26 (NIV)
Will you sing with me today?
HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW
Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.
“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
The many Spiritual benefits of submitting to Christ as Lord –
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8