Day 8 - A Dead Bird

This is day 8 of our Thanksgiving Experiment. Last night as I was turning out the lights for the evening I found a sparrow by my front door. It was huddled into the corner, shivering, sick, and dying. I could tell it was not going to make for whatever reason and I felt helpless to make a difference. When I got up this morning I found it dead in the corner where I had left it.

A sparrow's life is a small thing yet in scripture Jesus teaches that even a sparrow's life and death are not outside of God's purview. I was S.O.A.P.ing up this morning in Luke 12 where Jesus is speaking to the crowds including Pharisees about not fearing or becoming preoccupied with the harsh realities of the physical life, but rather seek God and his kingdom, focusing on the spiritual realities and eternal treasures that make this life worth living. In the midst of Jesus admonishing the crowd he illustrates with the sparrow. "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Jesus is saying to me and to all of us, if a sparrow's situation is known by God and valued, then don't you know and believe that you matter to me and I that am aware of every nuance of your life and circumstances?

I am reminded and thankful today of God's watchful eye, his compassionate gaze and his love for me. I may feel alone, cornered, suffering, worried, my situation unknown by the world around me, but my God is always with me on the journey, patiently and lovingly taking me to new heights to see with a kingdom perspective all that is eternal. It is this eternal view of life that sets me free to fly, "for those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

Let your life take flight today with thanksgiving to God for his watchful eye, compassionate gaze and loving heart.