In these trying and testing times we currently find ourselves in, I am sure every person reading this is able to relate when I say: I have had a few questions, some concerns and if I am really honest, I have had a worry or two.
Daydreaming with God
I remember one afternoon while sitting in the place that has now become my little quiet corner with God during the months of lockdown, staring through the window allowing my mind to wander for a while (as I often like to do). Through my dirty window, my eye was drawn to a bird traversing from one flower to the next, harvesting nectar. I followed it for a few moments. Then I looked a bit wider at the rest of the garden and suddenly became aware of all the living organisms resident in our backyard. Some seen and others wholly hidden from the naked eye, or at least protected from that particular vantage point. It’s not a very big backyard, but it is home to many plants, insects and other “wildlife”.
For a moment it was like I became utterly aware of the vastness of God’s greatness to create and sustain such a diverse and complicated creation without missing a beat… ever. He knows when a sparrow falls (Matt 10:29). He knows when the flower blooms. He knows when the season changes and He sets the boundaries for the ocean. He calls the sun up every morning, and He summons the moon into place. He keeps the planets delicately, each one in its place. He holds the universe in His hands…effortlessly (read Job 38, 39, God describes His creation much more eloquently).
And then there is you and I.
He knows how many hairs are on your head (Matt 10:30). He allows your body to transport blood through the rhythmic beating of your heart, and for the brain to send and receive signals that enable taste, smell, touch, sight and hearing to operate, simultaneously. He knows what you think, and how you feel. He knows YOU out of 7 billion people on the face of the planet. He knows YOU…personally. All while keeping the rest of creation ticking along seamlessly. Taking care of the needs of even the birds of the sky.
The Birds and Flowers Testify
I was taken to Matthew 6:25-34
25 “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? 26 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? 27 Can anyone of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 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? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
And that is when it struck me. Even now, typing out these words, I am struck by the fact, not the thought, the FACT, that He cares for me. He knows my need, even before I tell Him about it. And all this from a wandering thought while staring into my backyard, a tiny piece of creation. I am in awe of God’s creation. Even the ‘simplest’ of creations, like grass, are intricately woven together to fulfil a specific purpose for a particular time, and our God put it all into motion.
Overshadowed by His Majesty
It was through this simple revelation that all my cares and worries melted away. It was when I allowed His greatness to overshadow the futility of my faithless thinking that my faith was not just restored but revitalised. This must be what the Psalmist meant in Psalm 91:1 when he wrote:
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”
When I dwell, with all my being, body, soul and spirit, in His shelter, I will REST in His shadow. The shadow that overwhelms me in His presence hides me from all else and assures me of my Creator’s greatness. Even in the darkest of times, He is still able to cast a shadow that is greater than the darkness. And it is in this place, where we find our rest, peace and provision. It is here where His glory outweighs my grumblings and fears.
A Good Father cares for His Children
I don’t need to worry about food or finances. Even when it seems impossible not to. I could fear if I wanted to, and to many, it will seem foolish not to. But God commands me not to and requires me to be childlike in faith. Children don’t worry about adult matters, such as income and tax returns. Neither should we worry about God matters.
Our responsibility is not to provide for ourselves or to worry about our future. It is not our job to conjure up and manufacture solutions to the things that are sources of concern in our life. We are not made to carry the weight of such matters. Creation teaches us that. We can cast our cares on Him, because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). You may think that having this attitude is irresponsible, ignorant and even spiritually immature. There may be strong cases to why we should be doing all the things that are mentioned here for us not to do. But what is God’s word on it all?
Matthew 6:33
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own
His word is to seek His kingdom first. And His kingdom is, simply put, the King’s domain. Seek for His presence and the evidence of His hand. Then you have seen His kingdom. You will quickly discover His righteousness there, and soon the rest will be taken care of too. He wants to provide for His children. Sometimes that comes as a new job that you have worked hard for. Other times it means humbly receiving a gift you did not deserve. Either way, He provides.
Pslam 19:1-4:
The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
3 They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
Creation declares His majesty, and it confirms His provision. Will you let it speak to you too?
