Watch the Birds

by Marvin Bublitz

As I listen to the birds, I see a robin collecting just the rights twigs for her nest. It is such a peaceful sight. As I sip my coffee, I marvel at how the birds build their nest with what they find. Meanwhile my neighbour is redoing his deck, and he has to run to the lumber yard.

As the scene unfolds before my eyes, the words of our Lord ring in my ear: “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?… Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:25-26, 34).

The birds do not fret and scramble. The Lord provides for them. How much more important are we, yet we are of little faith. The birds trust Him, but we hedge our bets. We pray, “Give us this day our daily bread,” but we live as if it all up to us.

One day I sat in the parking lot while my wife went into the store. I watched as customer after customer came out with carts full. I wondered if they really needed those things? Then I reflected on those birds. I thought of the many times my cart was full.

It is easy to work and slave for things that rust and rot, or are stolen, or wear out. Priorities can easily get misplaced.

“The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in due season.
You open Your hand; You satisfy the desire of every living thing.
The Lord is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His works.
The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.
He fulfills the desire of those who fear Him; He also hears their cry and saves them.
The Lord preserves all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy.”

– Psalm 145:15-20

I laugh a little inside when I hear of someone saying, “This is our forever home.” They speak with great fondness for the home they built or bought. But one fire, one tornado, one flood, and it is gone. Nothing in this world is forever.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).

Our forever home is to be with the Lord eternally. And we do not have to build this forever home. We do not pay for it. We do nothing but receive it for the sake of Christ.

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:1-3).

Jesus has planned for and purchased our forever home. All the stuff that seems so important here in this life will be long forgotten. So while we are here, let nothing make you anxious. Trust in the One who cares for the flowers of the field and birds of the air. Trust in the One who laid down His life for your forever home.

When you find yourself getting anxious, watch the birds. Hear your Lord say: “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matthew 6:26).

Indeed, you are of more value. Our Father valued you so much He sent His Son to redeem you. He who so loved you for eternity will certainly love you through this life.

“The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in due season.
You open Your hand; You satisfy the desire of every living thing.
The Lord is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His works.
The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.
He fulfills the desire of those who fear Him; He also hears their cry and saves them.
The Lord preserves all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy.”

– Psalm 145:15-20 –

Rev. Marvin Bublitz is Regional Pastor of Lutheran Church–Canada’s East Region.

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