TRANSFIGURATION SUNDAY
EPIPHANY VII
February 19, 2023
“Keeping It Simple”
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will wear. 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 more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:25a, 26)
A couple of weeks ago, I was entertained by the sight of half a dozen goldfinches busily pecking away at the tube-style feeder outside the kitchen windows. They’re such lively little guys, and usually chirp and mutter even while they’re eating. As I watched their activity, I realized they were beginning to sprout some bright yellow feathers on their necks. A sign of spring! You’d have thought there were tulips blooming in the back yard, I was so delighted. When it’s February in Iowa, we take our bits of encouragement where we find them.
Locating various bird feeders became a challenge a couple of winters ago, as the derecho had taken down our beautiful maple and a gnarly old apple tree. A few shepherd’s hooks have provided hangers for suet blocks and platform feeders, and the birds make do with several large bushes that survived and the neighbor’s back fence. We miss the larger variety that came to feed when we had trees, but we still enjoy the daily activity.
Of course, there are always flocks of sparrows, and at times it seems that we probably have the best-fed sparrows in eastern Iowa. But what should we do? I’m not aware of some science-fiction type of force field we could put up around the yard that would let in only the most colorful songbirds. It’s pretty much open territory, and whoever lands on the feeder, eats.
These verses from Matthew follow a number of important teachings fairly early in Jesus’ ministry. He had called his disciples, and as they traveled around the countryside, with basically no personal resources, they expressed concern about food, shelter, and clothing. Once again our Lord used the example of the ordinary and the everyday as he spoke of God’s care for his creation, from the wild birds to his own people.
Letting go of our worries and putting our trust in God is far from easy. We’re hard-wired to be responsible, to make sure we take care of every detail, to plan, and to organize. But by always doing so, we underestimate and minimize God’s loving care for every one of us. Our worries can create a barrier that keeps us from trusting that God’s care surrounds us at all times. We are all, every one, loved and forgiven members of his family, and we don’t have to be beautiful, or able to sing a lovely song, but just be hungry for the assurance of God’s love and acceptance. Even if we feel like plain little brown sparrows, every one of us is welcomed and nourished.
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29, 31)
Trusting in the promises,
Your friend in Christ,
Mary Rogers