Beauty surrounds us, but we usually need to be walking in a garden to know it - Rumi
The kitchen windows offer a great vantage point to observe the birds in my garden going about their daily business. Provided I stand back from the window they take no notice. If, however, I move too close to the windows then they scatter to the safety of the nearby trees. They see a shadow, something that is unknown to them, something which frightens them. They don’t need to be afraid of me, I would not harm them; but they do not know that. It is their natural instinct to fly away when confronted with a perceived threat; even if there is much needed food to be had on the ground.
Perhaps we are like those little birds. After all we have the same flight or fight mechanism built in as they do. When faced with a threat, maybe a shadow, something unknown, or perhaps something really terrifying we have several coping mechanisms. But maybe those mechanisms do not work. Then even though we may feel lost, up against it, not knowing which way to turn we need to remember that God is there; we only need to call on Him. He will hear our cry and will respond; maybe not in the way we expect, but He will respond if we listen. Remember the words of the 23rd Psalm: 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (KJV) And that is the important point to remember “for thou art with me”. The Epistle to the Hebrews states quite clearly: “... for he hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee” Hebrews 13:5. It is those words that we need to hold on to. Take comfort in these words: “Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Matthew 1:23. God is with us now and forever and will never leave us nor forsake us. The birds of the garden may not be able to read the Bible or take comfort from it but we can and we must.
4 Comments
Steve Givens
18/4/2016 03:01:44 pm
I'm more a flyer than a fighter, it seems. What you remind me of today is the third way, taking shelter in the shadow of HIS wings...
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Kathleen
20/4/2016 01:08:22 pm
Beautifully, simply written, Peter! Oh the shadows we perceive as threats in our human hearts! Thank you for this reminder of the most important direction to turn. He is with us always. God bless. Kathleen
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Peter
20/4/2016 01:12:47 pm
Thanks Kathleen. God bless you
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AuthorI am an Authorised Local Preacher in an Anglo Catholic parish church, in the Diocese of Essex UK Archives
February 2022
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