From His Eye View

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” —Matthew 6:26, NIV

One summer day, as I was busy in the kitchen, I looked out the window because something caught my attention. Right there in front of me was a beautiful hummingbird, looking at me through the window as if to ask for some sweet water to refresh itself on the hot summer day. As I contemplated the amazing colors of this tiny bird and its ability to remain in the air, I stood amazed. It left as suddenly as it had arrived.

I had only a few seconds to watch, but it was enough to leave me with a feeling of awe at God’s amazing creation. I stood there, reflecting on the wonder of God’s ability to make such complex designs, combine colors in such unique ways, use physics and engineering I do not even understand, and put together such a tiny and beautiful creature.

Those few seconds of awe reminded me of the verse that says God cares about birds, including those that are not so unique nor as beautiful as hummingbirds, such as sparrows. While on a recent trip to a women’s retreat, I remembered this encounter with the hummingbird as my plane took off and the ground faded into the distance.

From that altitude, there was no chance of seeing a person, much less a tiny bird. As I thought of how God looks down from His heights and cares about the birds—the tiny, the common, the special, and the unique creatures that fly over our heads and fit in our hands—I again felt in awe of His love. If God, from much higher than the cruising altitude of my flight, could see a tiny bird and care about its life, would He not see me? Would He not care about my worries and concerns as He says He does? Would He value me as much as that tiny bird I cannot even see from my plane window? I know that God cares, even when I do not feel it or when it is hard to believe because there is no evidence. From my seat in the sky, I cannot see the birds, but I know they are there because I have seen them in the past.

Likewise, I have seen God’s care for me in the past.

And I have His Word and assurance that He will never fail His promises. Lord, as I continue to trust Your Word and grow in faith, remind me to look with awe at Your creation and know You care about me. Help me to live out this assurance in my life.

Nilde Itin