Traffic was lighter than usual, especially for that time of day. It had been a full workweek, and I was ready to reach home to start a weekend of a different kind of work. We were painting what would hopefully be the last of our room-by-room update. We had been in this house more than 10 years, and the occupants before us spent many years in it, too. It was time to freshen things up.
As I left the office and anticipated the tasks ahead of me, I was thankful the traffic was light. But as usual, a traffic light turned red before I could pass through the busy intersection. While waiting for the light to change so I could charge into the weekend’s activities, I found my momentum diminishing. Thoughts and questions began to overcome me. My mind was in high gear bouncing from the idea of our soon to be freshened space, to bills, budgets, health concerns, relationship dynamics, and a host of other fleeting trepidations. The mental landscape I traversed so speedily began to weigh me down. Isn’t it interesting how the mind can travel through a vast terrain in only moments? Yet our emotions can suddenly be trapped on a rollercoaster ride we often would rather have left behind.
I began to question: How would this work out? When would that come to an end? What more could I do to affect a better outcome over there? On and on things began to swirl in my head, taking with it my enthusiasm for the weekend into a downward spiral. Just as I was about to plummet to a deep dark depth of no return, something caught my eye.
There was movement on the grassy slope just outside the passenger window of my car. The grass was amazingly green considering the harshly high temperatures and dry weather we had been having. The color was soothing to my eyes. It felt inviting. Just at the top of the slope was a parking lot and popular restaurant. Although closely located to my office, I rarely went there for lunch. It was more of an evening place to dine, at least in my mind anyway. What a stark contrast the black pavement cast against the inviting luscious grassy slope. Indeed, this was a welcomed sight to sooth my weary mind.
Yet this grassy slope was dotted with magnificent creatures, tiny in size but full of movement. I was intrigued that their pecking around in the grass was unhindered by the string of automobiles lined up awaiting the change of the traffic light.
These feathered friends donned beautiful shades of gray, white and black. Their movements were jerky and quick. They were such fragile little creatures. Yet they foraged on the grassy slope as though completely unaware of any danger or future concerns.
Then the words of Jesus entered my thoughts:
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matthew 10:28-31 niv
Looking again at the tiny creatures dotting the lawn next to my window, I was amazed at God’s goodness to draw my attention to them. Only a few weeks prior I had mentioned to my bird-watching friend that all too often many of us don’t even notice them, though they are often near. Then my mind again recalled words of instruction Jesus spoke:
Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do no worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
“Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Luke 12:22-31 niv
Quietly, gently, and with such a pleasant peace, these words began to echo in my mind: ‘Your Father knows what you need.’ Like a soft whisper, those comforting words began to cover and calm my anxieties. And much like the fresh coat of paint soon to be applied to the walls of my home, my mind and spirit felt renewed, refreshed.
A delay at a traffic light, a few birds on a grassy slope, and a weary mind collided briefly for an unlikely moment. Yet God spoke, breathing life, hope, and peace into my spirit. In those moments when life feels overwhelming, when concerns run like a torrent in your mind, let your thoughts consider the elegant beauty of a lily or the fragile feathered friends so easily over looked and remember, ‘Your Father knows what you need.’ And because of this, we can be at peace. We can be still and know He is God and that He is good.
But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Luke 12:31 niv
Leave a Reply