This week's post is by my friend, Jeannie Waters. She is an inspiring, award-winning writer whose words reflect a Titus 2 woman with their encouraging focus. I know you will enjoy the lessons a little friend from nature taught her. Please welcome her and share your comments below and follow her social media links.
by Jeannie Waters @jeanniewaters44
I
allowed anxiety to gather grass and straw and build a tangled nest in my heart.
No major problems plagued me, but tiny remnants of fear and questions about how
God works in and through me swirled in my mind.
With
my pen, journal, and Bible in hand, I sat on the deck and asked God to help me
fight fear and learn to trust Him more. I then heard the first notes of a
concert.
The performer sang to an
audience of one—me. A little sparrow belted out an aria, and as he tilted his
head upward and increased his volume, I chuckled and named him Pavarotti.
Our loving Teacher used my little Pavarotti Sparrow to emphasize five important truths.
1. God Created Us to Share
His Truth.
He designed songbirds to
share music with the world, and His creation is their stage. Their
songs add beauty whether they’re heard by a large crowd, or in the case of
Pavarotti Sparrow, an audience of one.
Our heavenly Father designed
believers to share the good news of salvation in Christ, and He provides a
platform for witness and service. We influence other
people in the circles where we live, work, shop, travel, and worship. The light
of Jesus shines through our words and actions, and our lives demonstrate the peace,
joy, and hope we have in Him.
"But in your hearts revere Christ as
Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the
reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15 NIV).
2. God Fulfills His Purposes
Through Nature and Through Us.
God shaped the bodies of birds
to fulfill His purposes. The aerodynamic body shape and wings of
birds enable them to find food, escape predators, and raise families in safe
places. He even gave them tiny feet to grab tree branches and steady their
landing.
God created us perfectly
and prepares us to serve Him. Our heavenly Father
equips each believer with spiritual gifts for kingdom service (1 Peter 4:10-11).
When we use our gifts properly, God meets our needs and the needs of people
around us, and He receives the glory. Think about how others have met your needs
by using their spiritual talents. Which gifts did God give you?
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3 NIV).
3. God Shelters Us in
Storms.
He designed birds to
withstand stormy weather. The oil they apply during preening, makes
them water-resistant and able to fly short distances in the rain. During thunderstorms,
instinct leads them to shelter under tree branches. 1
God protects us in the storms
of life. Jesus calmed a stormy sea when the disciples cried for
help (Matthew 8:23-27), and He provides safety for us during life’s storms. Whether
we encounter physical, relational, financial, or other trials, He promises to
give us wisdom (James 1:5). Like tiny birds that huddle under tree branches, we
can cling to the One who calms the storms when we’re weary or troubled or
afraid.
“God
is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1 NIV).
4. God Charts Our Paths.
God fashioned each bird’s
travel path. He planned suitable habitats for various
species of birds and equipped them with unique flight patterns. Sparrows
combine flapping and gliding as they fly in an up and down trajectory to cover
the desired distance where they live. 2
God charts the paths of
believers throughout Scripture. He instructs us to trust
Him and reminds us of His faithfulness. Bible study, prayer, and fellowship
with other Christians serve as tools to guide our unique paths.
“In
all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs
3:6 NIV).
5.
Morning Brings an Opportunity to Praise God
Dawn cues the music of
songbirds. When tiny rays of sunlight pierce the horizon,
our winged early-riser friends begin praising their Maker with songs of joy and
cheer.
God’s children can arise
each morning with songs of praise and worship on our lips, expressing trust as
we request directions to serve Him.
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put
my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life” (Psalm
143:8 NIV).
From
Fear to Faith
Perhaps the lessons from my
little Pavarotti Sparrow will help us fight anxiety and fear and rest in God’s
plan. As I turned to go into the house, a familiar passage made my heart sing.
“Are not two sparrows sold for a
penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And
even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be
afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29-31 NIV).
Which
of the sparrow lessons or verses inspires you to trust God and seek His will as
you serve Him? Share your thoughts.
5 lessons on trust from my little Pavarotti (click to tweet)
1 https://www.audubon.org/news/why-do-birds-avoid-flying-rain
2 https://www.sibleyguides.com/2011/03/identifying-small-songbirds-by- flight-style/
Jeannie Waters is an award-winning
devotional and article writer, blogger, and contributor to six compilations (Worthy
Inspired and Lighthouse Bible Studies). She serves as a mentor for Word Weavers
International and is a regular writer for Refresh
Bible Study Magazine, the In the Quiver website, and Hope-Full
Living. Her articles have been
published by the Christian Broadcasting Network site and Focus on the
Family.
Jeannie adores creating family memories, cheering for the Georgia Bulldogs, making new friends, and taking just-for-fun hikes. A retired educator, she leads a Bible study/English Club for second language learners.
Visit
Jeannie at www.jeanniewaters.com where she shares her love for Jesus and ideas
for Brightening Someone’s Day. Follow her on social media @jeanniewaters44.
Wonderful reminder that God can and does use all of His creation to remind us of His presence in our lives, when we seek Him. This one's a keeper!
ReplyDeleteJeannie's little visitor did give us great lessons on showing us how God provides. Thanks for sharing, J.D. Blessings!
DeleteThank you, J. D. Yes, "His creation reminds us of His presence" and the creative ability He gives us. May we use every gift, minute, and avenue He gifts to us for His glory and the good of those around us.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful reminder of God's love and care for us. Tomorrow, when I go out early in the morning to feed the animals and the birds greet me in joyful chorus, I will think of your message, Jeannie, one of love, joy, hope, and security in the safety of our God. We still face those storms of life, but He will never leave us or forsake us.
ReplyDeleteKatherine, what a wise practice to connect our every day life with truths from God's Word. I agree with your assessment: although life's storms threaten, we have "love, joy, hope,and security in the safety of our God." Thank you for adding value to this post.
DeleteKatherine, I will always think of little Pavarotti when I see a sparrow from now on. These lessons are gems to keep with us at all times. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteThanks for sharing ! Particularly powerful #4.and #5. After the Storm or during the storm, as we allow Him to continue. Brings to mind the sunrise and rainbow after the storm. Powerful.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, Patricia. The rainbow and sunrise are powerful reminders of God's providence. Blessings!
DeletePatricia, I appreciate your kind comments. Yes, the sunrise and the rainbow offer such promise—just like God’s Word. I’m glad you mentioned them.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I love watching, drawing/painting, and photographing birds. I am inspired by Luke 12:6, similar to the verses from Matthew 10.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it great how God can speak to us through His creation? I bet your bird art is beautiful, Robin. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteRobin, I'm thankful you enjoyed the post.I like watching birds, too. They remind me of God's care. What amazing talent you have to draw, paint,and photograph them. I appreciate you adding another verse to bless us.
DeleteJeannie,
ReplyDeleteI love this post! Number 5 is and it's related Psalm are such encouragements to me right now. I'm going to record that verse and place it on my nightstand so that it's available to read as soon as wake up in the morning. Thank you for these lovely words!
Peace and grace,
Tammy
Reading the word in the morning is the best way to set our mind on God all day. I love that verse too. Thanks for sharing, Tammy. Blessings!
DeleteTammy, that's a great idea to put a verse beside your bed. What a productive and inspirational way to start the day with our mind on God and His promises. I like to start my day by praying Psalm 143:8. I appreciate your comments so much, Tammy.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful message about God's care for us. I love how God gives us pictures in nature of His care for us. Thanks and God bless!
ReplyDeleteNancy, I love the nature pictures God gives us, too. While sitting on my deck praying, I notice so many aspects of nature that He uses to teach me. I'm so glad you enjoyed the post. Let's watch for His messages this week.
DeleteI was just commenting to my husband the other day that in the past it was so much easier to see God working through me and me participating in the advancement of His kingdom. These beautiful reminders encouraged me. God designed me and God placed me in this time and place...and even if my "singing" is heard by a smaller audience than in the past, that doesn't mean it glorifies God any less.
ReplyDelete