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A simple and profound lesson!

Nature sparks a sense of wonder and inspires my personal dedication to God.

My friend, who loves watching birds as much as I do, recently bought a lovely new hand-crafted, rustic bird feeder for suet to compliment her existing feeders designed to hold seed.

She sent an email to me,  “The birds are back, but they are not feeding off the new feeder.” I found that interesting because where I live, I have the same bird feeder, filled with suet, and the birds come daily to feast on it.

Reflecting upon this, simple observation…I begin asking myself some questions…

Why would a beautiful hand-crafted bird feeder with fresh suet in it, not draw the birds in?

Could it be, the birds were so accustomed to the other two feeders, that they didn’t even notice the third feeder?

Could it be, they didn’t identify it as a feeder because it looked different?

Could it be, they feared trying something new?

Could it be, they would wait and see if others would go before them to check it out?

As I reflected, I gleaned a spiritual lesson from nature; I heard the voice of God.

At about the same time as those questions surfaced, I was facing a situation that was a daunting, overwhelming, and had the potential for major change.

I’m accustomed to the “what is”, the comfortable and familiar. I was not seeking change.  Yet it was personally right in front of me, challenging my landscape.

When life presents itself with a change, something new and out of the ordinary, I initially find myself responding …

Could it be, that the existing “what is”, has become too comfortable, established, reliable, and not daunting? The rules stay the same; I know how to function with the familiar.

Could it be, that this change — that I don’t think I want — might be for my good?

Could it be, there is fear in the potential change of all I have known?

Could it be that I want to be more assured and so I watch others in similar situations to see how they deal with change before I commit?

No matter how I answer these questions, I know God desires my growth and for me to lean into Him, depend on Him, and trust Him. He doesn’t want me to become complacent and stagnant in my familiar faith.

Like the birds, I too can be  intimidated by change; by the new. Do I really want what this new is offering?

The new feeder presented a challenge to the birds.

My possible new situation presented a challenge to me.

I was forced to consider …

When change is looming in my life, how should I respond?

Ignore and deny it.
Run from it.
Fear it.

Ignoring, denying, running, and fearing is my human response to challenges or the unknown. These emotions may serve a valuable purpose or they it can paralyze me and keep me from experiencing God in new and deeper ways.

My tendency most times, is to fear the uncertainties in life that come my way, the unknowns, the
newness of what might be. I hear those could it be questions.

I want my heart bent towards the Lord and to trust Him.

I’m learning that it is during these times of change that God breathes new life into us. He always has our best interest in mind, and always offers us the best to draw us closer to Him. If only I would  partake, and not be paralyzed by fear of  the new; something that might even be better than what I know now.

Then, I bet I would see God for who He really is, my loving and kind Father even in the midst of change.

I’m learning the joy of embracing God, embracing change.

And those little birds are learning it as well.

“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10

Thank you again, Jennifer, my bird-loving friend. I bet many of us identify with your story. Your vulnerability ministers deeply.

 

Copyright: Jennifer Beckham, spring 2023