MARIA CURREY | CONTRIBUTOR

When we see a beautiful bird soaring above, my husband and I crane our necks until the last feather vanishes. The majesty and soaring beauty of an eagle in flight; enigmatic, insistent whippoorwill calls through wooded cover; bluebirds nesting in reclaimed spaces, prepping their nests for fledglings’ flights, each of these draw our attention and spotlight God’s creative hand. To hear morning mockingbird songs before sunrise, where every note is a symphony of our Creator’s natural orchestrations. Birds hearken to God’s hands of wonder, and we need only lift our eyes to the sky and witness His splendor!

Eyes to the sky:

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Matt. 10:29-31).

Ponder the fact that God knows and protects the sparrow; He knows the number of hairs on your head. He is the omniscient, all-knowing God of WONDER who created the whole earth and who knows everything about you. He bestows all-knowing care, love, attention, and protective salvation grace upon you as His one-of-a-kind daughter.

The same is true for each common sparrow and every flying creature on the earth. Not one detail of any being goes unnoticed by our God. In all His wonderful creation, consider further the splendor of God’s beautiful birds. Birds inspire humankind’s deepest curiosity and imagination. Fearless and free in the sky, birds make us wonder, “What would it be like to fly?”

Flying Lessons

While none of us can sprout wings, we still observe and learn from these exquisitely crafted creatures how to soar in God’s beauty. Here are six life lessons, inspired by our winged friends.

1. Be confident.

Birds learn to trust what they’re taught before they take off in the sky. Bluebirds begin as nestlings, fully dependent on their parent birds for every need. Once strong and ready, they fly as fledglings. Even more powerful are eaglets who first find the wind beneath their wings. So have faith in God’s Word and the ways it gives your gifts flight, and know that by His Spirit, He will give you a wonder-filled current in which to fly and soar. Take wing in Isaiah 40:31.

2. Let Jesus’ Spirit shine.

Birds have hundreds of different hues. Be bright in God’s unique spiritual giftings to you and share His love accordingly. Soar in your Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4 giftings. If you’re not sure of your own spiritual gift(s), reliable assessments may be found online. Here is one possibility.

3. Show up early and often.

The legendary early bird gets the worm. Seek God’s face each morning (Psalm 27:8), be quiet in His Word and in prayer, then show up for His callings on your heart every day in full, Spirit-strengthened flight.

4. Fly with the seasons.

Birds thrive despite changes in their environment. Be fluid and go with the flow; trust God to give you a solid branch to land on, even if you’re in a shifting migrating season.

Throughout this year, celebrate your Savior first and foremost. Remain in Him as the source of your strength wherever you are, with John 15 as your abiding branch.

5. Flock together.

Birds seek strength and sustenance from one another. Think of geese in flight and the ways they adjust their flight to share the headwinds. First and foremost, Jesus’ wings surround you, then He provides friends and family to help navigate the currents of each day. Trust Jesus as your covering, as He longs to offer in Matthew 23:37. Flocking together in Christ provides strength as we spur each other to love and goods deeds in Hebrews 10:24 flight.

6. Spread your wings.

All birds must leave the safety of their nests and become what they are meant to be. Maybe God is calling you to something new this year. Fly and have no fear of falling. God says, “Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

Remember that you are invaluable to God. Because Jesus came as the substitute for your sins, His sacrifices provide you redeeming flight in your faith. Luke 12:7 speaks to your value, and God’s wonder in creating you. “You are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.”

Spend this new year soaring in the wonder of Christ’s love for you. With renewed strength, mount up with wings as eagles. Run and be not weary, walk and do not faint, trusting God as your source of confidence, Spirit-giftings, Word sustenance, seasonal direction, strength with others in Christ, and fearlessness in Him.

Photo by Tobias Roth on Unsplash