[This meditation was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 20/Oct/2019]
With less than 24 hours before my next ‘Yours’ article was due for delivery I sat down to give a final polish to the text which had been evolving over the past couple of weeks. As I did so, a blue-tit landed on the sill outside my window, within an arm’s length of where I was sitting. The small insects that abound at this time of year make rich pickings for a variety of birds and the blue-tits have joined the feast. However, here blue-tits are the harbingers of cold weather and today’s cool 20C adds to the indications of the coming winter.
I got to thinking – what could the blue-tit see? It could not see me due to the difference in lighting on both sides of the glass. Did it see its own reflection; was that reflection a rival or a companion? What about us? When we come to God’s presence what do we expect to see? The light of God hides Him from our direct sight and we see only a reflection but maybe we think that is enough. He is, after all, made in our image – right? Do we see ourselves as others see us? Are we rivals or companions to those around us?
A little further away a woodpecker is at work. Nature’s original headbanger is looking for small insects among the branches of the walnut trees. Life for her consists of a lot of noise and effort but she persists and is eventually rewarded. Is our walk of faith becoming a headache? Maybe a meditation on the eagle in Isaiah 40 v31 will help.
On the wires outside, our resident flock of sparrows is showing off its fluffed-up winter plumage. They have made a nest in our verandah and their friendly chatter is a reminder that God provides for their needs. Sparrows have a special place in God’s heart, even being allowed to make their home at God’s altar (Ps 84 v3). But so have you – Jesus said that you are of more value than many sparrows. (Matt 10 v31)
In my story the ravens are the bad guys. They steal fruit and strike fear into other birds but they too demonstrate God’s provision “… they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them.” (Luke 12 v24).
Feeling down? Remember how much more value you are than the birds
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Contributed by Steve Humphreys; © the Author
