Week Twenty-Seven. A Pure Heart. Trust.

Recently I’ve been fascinated by birds. I love the freedom they portray for me. Listening to their gentle chirping to one another. Finding delight in a hummingbird’s visit to my Firecracker bush or the sighting of the brilliant red cardinal and its mate. I’m coming to the realization that these creatures are the Spirit’s voice urging me to trust in loving providence which purifies my heart.

I often pollute my mind with needless worry anticipating the worst case scenario as if that is controlling the outcome. These impure thoughts disconnect me from loving God with all my heart and soul into fear and disconnection in my heart, leading me down the path of confusion and mistrust and lacking temperance to master my emotions. But my perspective changes as I look at my birds.

God feeds the birds of the air and as I let this reality of his fatherly care for these ephemeral creatures sink deeply into my soul, I wonder why should I worry. How much more will He not care for me, the crowning work of His hand for whom He is willing to send His only-begotten Son to die on the Cross? Christ penetrates to the real cause of my worry and anxiety, my anxious concern that often overwhelms me in life: I have little faith. Little faith and even less trust in the goodness of our heavenly Father.

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span? 

Matthew 6:25-26

Today, I thank You for Your patience in allowing Your fatherly goodness to penetrate to the depths of my spirit, valuing myself and purifying my heart.