Do not worry, look at the birds

“Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Matthew 6:27)
If worrying can prolong lifespans, humans would live for a very long time. Unfortunately, worrying excessively about everything can cause an early death. Worrying comes from fear of lack, fear of not being able to fulfill all your dreams, fear of missing out etc. In fact, fear is the mastermind of worry. If we replace fear with faith, we shall worry less. We live in unusual times and the average person is constantly exposed to news that causes one to be worried about something. After the world went on a relapse for almost 2 years because of the global pandemic, most of us expected life to be normal but it is not. Maybe the new normal is to navigate through life with all the things happening around us. As believers, these things should not be ‘new news’ because Jesus warned us to expect them (Matthew 24:3-31).

Life can be full of uncertainties but with God on our side, we can navigate through. Jesus’ sermon on the Mountain presents diverse issues of life. Jesus told the people that they should not worry. The message on “Do not worry is presented in Matthew 6: 25-31:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 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? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’”

Jesus used two creatures to teach why we shouldn’t worry; birds and flowers. According to Jesus, birds do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet God feeds them. Flowers do not labour or spin and yet they are more beautifully clothed than the rich king Solomon. If our heavenly Father cares for birds and plants, will He not care for us? It is good to make plans for food, water and raiment but if all hope is lost, we should know that our Father in heaven will provide. God provides through people, organizations, charities, churches etc. Instead of worrying, Jesus admonishes us to do the following:
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:33‭-‬34).

All ‘these things’ refer to those things/desires/needs etc. that cause us to worry in life. Instead of worrying about everything, let’s seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness and trust God to bring the provision. I pray that God opens uncommon doors for us and turns our worries into celebrations. There is nothing too hard for the Lord. 

The sparrows and the Father’s care

Have you gone bird hunting before? It doesn’t sound fun right? Thankfully, since I moved to the West, I only hear of birdwatching not bird hunting. However, growing up, bird hunting was a common activity by children and adults. The hunters would go into the field with a sling and pelt stones at the birds. Unfortunately, some birds were killed in the process, others became pets and yet, others became meat for food. The sparrow in ancient Israel was a sacrificial bird. To be a sparrow at the temple courts meant that at any time, you could be killed. According to Jesus, two sparrows were sold for a penny. The beautiful sparrows we see around could have become sacrifices if Jesus had not paid the price for our sins. Thank you Lord!

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. (Matthew 10:29)

God’s nature is revealed through His care for animals including the sparrow. The birds of the air might not be as important as humans but we see God caring for them. God knows all the birds and He knows their movements and their location. As Jesus mentioned in Matthew 10:29, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.” That is, no bird falls to the ground without the Father’s knowledge. Can you imagine going on bird hunting and on that particular day, God does not give permission for the birds to fall? You will catch nothing. God is concerned for the sparrows and is definitely concerned about you. Jesus said that even the very hairs of your head are all numbered (Matthew 10:30). If you have alopecia, God knows how much hairs you have left. When your hair keeps receding, God knows every strand that falls off and none falls to the ground without His knowledge. 

When we see God’s attributes revealed through nature, we tend to learn more about His personality. If God cares for the animals, definitely you are God’s specialty. You are the apple of His eyes (Zachariah 2:8). “So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:31). You are the highest depiction of creation. For God did not say, let us make the birds in our image. None of the animals were created in God’s image. Man is God’s masterpiece (poiema) created to do good things which have been prepared for us (Ephesians 2:10). The sparrow points us to the care of God, but we humans demonstrate to others God’s care. If the sparrows are talking about God, we should live out the God-life that will attract people to the Father. Whenever things don’t work according to our plans, we should consult the Father to know if our plans align with His plans. Remember, God cares and He knows you more than you know yourself. If you think you know yourself better, just answer this corrupt one try; “how many strands of hair are on your head?”

The birds and the flowers are preaching… Can you hear?

Recently, our family witnessed a show dubbed “Birds of prey” at the African Lion Safari. The very trained birds displayed tactical skills of catching food, searching for food and looking for food. We were all amazed that those wild birds were trained enough to respond to instructions from their trainers. However, in the wild, birds of prey are not trained by any Safari trainers. They are not given portions of food, they are not given water and they do not live in sheltered structures. How then do the birds survive? Unlike other animals that store food in the barns in anticipation of seasonal changes, birds do not. So, how do they survive throughout the year? How do birds survive harsh weather conditions? Who provides birds with food all year round?

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 6:26)

Our response to these questions might trigger a scientific explanation about the nature of birds. However, before we delve into science, let’s consider these: the Creator of birds has made provision for their survival. Their Creator feeds them, clothes them and ensures that they remain where they can thrive at every season. What of the flowers that grow in the field? Who designed their beautiful raiment? Why are roses so beautiful and full of positive vibes? Who designed the perfect features of roses? Both the birds of the air and flowers in the field point to a Creator. Jesus made profound statements in Matthew 6:26, 28-29: “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? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.”

These verses remind us that the Creator provides for His creation. Thus, when we see a bird and a rose, we should be reminded of their Maker. Yes, they should point us to God! Similarly, all other creation indicates the presence of a Creator. Growing up in a small community in Ghana, I heard stories about different gods who are responsible for different creation. The river god was responsible for the river and so are other territorial gods. I believe this phenomenon occurs in different parts of the world. The God of the Bible is responsible for all creation. He made everything in heaven and on earth. He is not a territorial god. He is the God over all and He is revealed in all His creation. As Romans 1:20 states, people are without excuse because creation reveals the invisible qualities of God; His eternal power and divine nature. Creation preaches about God each day, but if you fail to see the invisible God through His visible creation, you will have no excuse on that Day!