What We Can Learn From the Birds

 I grew up in Texas, often wakened by the rasp of blue jays outside my window, frequently entertained by mockingbirds with their collection of stolen songs.  Buzzards circled in the sky, high overhead on hot summer days, riding the wind, barely moving their wings.

 When we moved to Minnesota the Canadian geese migrated to and from the fields passing low overhead.  I could hear the wind in their wings. When I visited the Boundary Waters a bald eagle built her nest in a lone tree on a rocky island less than 50 yards from our camp.  She circled overhead, the sun glistening off her white head.

 We owned a beach house for a few years on Galveston Island.  I never tired watching the sea gulls balance on the wind, descending to the shallow surf where they laughed and danced on stick legs. They seemed to think it was hilarious. The pelicans swooped in squadrons over the breaking waves. One or more would suddenly drop in a vertical dive, splash in the surf and return to the sky with an unsuspecting fish.

 In Colorado our house looks out on an open marsh.  The red-wing black birds are already returning to build their nests in the tall grass.  As in Minnesota, the Canadian geese occasionally fill the sky from one horizon to the other. Two sparrows built a nest in our bird house. A pair of Robins selected a low limb in the Aspen out front. Finches and an occasional Chickadee visit our window feeder.

 In every region and every climate birds survive and thrive.  They are masters of the air, the forests, the land and the sea. No wonder Jesus encouraged us to “consider the birds.”

 “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?” (Matthew 6:25-26).

 “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.  Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.  But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows,” (Matthew 10:28-29).

 He who cares for the birds of the air will doubtless care for you.  You are of great worth to God.   Look to the birds and listen to their song.