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Good morning, dear friends. This lovely summer morning, I'm sitting on my porch just watching and listening to the sweet sounds of nature. Birds are especially verbal in the early morning hours. My birds, in particular, swarm around me as they fight for dominance of their feeders. They are "my" hummingbirds. Maybe some enlightenment about these amazing critters is necessary to share with you before we get to the topic at hand this morning.
Hummers, as they are affectionately called, really do not hum at all. The sound you may be familiar with is the flapping of their wings, flapping over fifty times per second. They are typically about 2.5 inches, and their tiny hearts beat up to 1,260 beats per minute. Their brains make up 4.2% of their body weight; more than any other bird. Hummers have amazing memories, and will return to the same feeders year after year.
Hummingbirds eat more than twice their body weight daily; because of their high metabolism they are unable to store body fat. It's said that they visit over 1,000 flowers each day. When they migrate in the fall, we believe it's because of the cooler temperatures, but in reality, it's because of the limited food supply then. One of the most stunning facts to me is that they travel 3,000 miles in their migration and have been known to fly from Alaska and Canada to southern Mexico. Ruby throats can fly 500 miles in one flight. There are over 350 species known. How fascinating they are.
Over the years, I've noticed a trend in my experiences of drawing nearer to God. They have often come after observing God's creation, especially His critters. As I sit on my porch during the early morning hours, I notice an urgency for these little birds to get their nourishment. What I've also noticed is that they are feisty little birds. There are three here, who are in constant battle over the feeders I've put out for them. When I first filled the single feeder this spring, I realized that there is a pecking order among them. Wanting to stop their fighting and chasing each other, I added a second feeder. No. Not the answer. They continue to fight over that original feeder! Wake up, little birdies! It doesn't have to be this way.
Suddenly, in my mind's eye, I see Jesus, standing off to the side of both feeders, with outstretched arms, beckoning…Come. "Come," He seems to be saying. Is He calling those little birds? Of course, He is! Is He calling me? Yes! Yes, He is! Does He see all the turmoil in my heart, just as He sees those of His little birds? I believe so. Does He long to take all that from me? A resounding "Yes."
It was God's good idea to place me here on this mountain so that I could slow the pace of life and see more of Him. I have failed, at times. During those times when I insist on that hurry up lifestyle, Jesus fades into the background, and it's hard to see Him for the forest in from of me. Lord, forgive me! I've begun to see this through watching these little birds.
They have enough feed in front of them to drown them a dozen times over, yet they fight for their food as if there's no tomorrow. Or even today. Lord, help us see past ourselves to see the blessings right before our very eyes. Help us to see your lavish love and all the provisions around us. You are our good, good Father, so kind and forgiving of all our striving on our own.
Just this morning, I reached out to a sister for some encouragement. She directed me to an app on my phone, called One Minute Pause. In particular, she directed me to John and Stasi Eldredge's study, "30 Days To Resilient" (https://pauseapp.com). Day one brings to light the idea of consecration. To consecrate something is to make or declare something sacred; to dedicate formally to a divine purpose. This is just what I needed. Thank You, Jesus. Thank you, sister.
When the struggles of this life take over our hearts and minds so that we are unable to see Jesus, and instead, only see the pain, we are in a very bad place. We all have a need to be seen, heard, understood, and loved. When that isn't happening for us, we often become bitter and enraged. In that state of heart and mind, we will not see the Lord at work. It is only in abiding in Him (the Vine), that healing and growth can come. I know this to be so true. I wonder why I have to keep circling this same mountain?
This morning, dear friend, I urge you to take time to sit at the foot of the cross and look up at Jesus. See the love in His eyes, as He breathes His last breath. Feel deeply the sacrifice He made so that you could have life, and more abundantly. Make a conscious decision, while you are on your knees before Him, to consecrate all of those places, situations, relationships that hurt, your present life, your future life, your health, finances, your church…all of it! Give it to Him! Let His love wash over you and give you His peace. See and know, from the depths of your heart, that He is for you and not against you. Trust Him with it all. Then, when you rise to your feet, let it all there, with Jesus. Consecrate all of it to His keeping. We truly don't need to fight over the feed, as the hummingbirds do…there's plenty for all of us! He does and will continue to provide for each of us. The question today is, "Will you sit at His feet long enough to know His heart for you?" If you do, all striving stops right there.
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Debby Renninger is a freelance writer and inspirational speaker. She holds a Bible study in her home in McVeytown, where seeking women are always welcome. She may be reached at (717) 250-7086 for speaking engagements.