Sparrows

About a week ago, I was talking to my sister and I was breaking down over all that is going on in the world. I was worried about life in general. I was asking her questions like: What if this chaos never ends? How do I know who to believe when some people are freaking out while others are being passive? How am I supposed to protect myself while not allowing this chaos to own and control my life? I honestly could not help but focus on the idea that life may never go back to normal. As I waited for a response or to at least see the bubbles pop up assuring me that she was about to comfort and encourage me, a tune began to ring through my head. These words came out of nowhere yet so perfectly placed in timing. The words were Even the Sparrows know He holds tomorrow. These words are from the song Sparrows by Jason Gray. A song I had not heard in years yet God brought it to my mind at the perfect time.

It is no secret to anyone reading this that the world is in complete chaos. The world is panicking, afraid, attempting to cope with a future so unknown that many alive have never experienced such uncertainty. In the blink of an eye, a virus that people made jokes about became the number one topic and the number one reason to panic. Within days schools closed, businesses closed, travel was limited to essential only, families were prohibited from visiting loved ones in nursing homes and hospitals, college students were robbed of their semester, seniors were informed that they would not walk at graduation, and many providers lost jobs. The world, in a matter of a short period of time, was turned completely upside down. So, what do you do when no one has experienced something so unknown as the current times we live in?

When you are experiencing chaos, look to the one who has delivered you from chaos in times past. I cannot help but think of the story behind my tattoo when sharing that truth because God’s deliverance is embedded in it. The mountains in my tattoo represent the years of trauma I faced and God delivered me from it as a grown and much-matured woman of God. The bird on my wrist signifies me soaring over the mountains I faced because of God’s grace that brought me through something I had never experienced and would never wish on anyone to experience. No one may have experienced such a time as this; however, there is someone who is not surprised by the current chaos and He alone is the help in this time of need (Psalm 46).

The lyrics that popped into my head are inspired by Matthew 6:25-34. In this passage, we see a challenge for anxiety. We observe the sparrows and how they live without worry for what they will eat or drink because the God who created the heavens and the earth feeds them. It is a common misconception that when in chaos, a person’s faith is shattered; but in reality, the person’s faith is exposed. It is so easy to say that we trust God when times are going the way we plan; but when things are turned upside down, we see truly that our faith commonly lies in ourselves. When our lives turn to chaos, we see ourselves act out what we have faith in and often we see our faith is not as strong as we once thought. No one planned for times like the present and people are not in a panic because they lost faith; but because they were not fully trusting God to begin with.

God is clear in this passage that we need food, drink, and clothing. He knows that we are in need of them all. He knows every one of our needs. In verse 33 He gives us a promise to provide those things for us if we only seek first His kingdom. In times of chaos, we are to focus more than ever on the benefit of God’s kingdom. This could mean that we are loving on those around us, making sure that the elderly are taken care of and not made to do their own shopping, bringing a meal to a family, encouraging a friend or family member, anything that serves others in a way of love. Serving others brings the attention off of ourselves and our own worries and puts it onto the needs of others.

As we love others, we are putting God’s kingdom first and showing His love to those around us. I want to encourage you in this time of chaos to put your faith in the God that created the world and was not surprised by any of this. Even the sparrows know that God holds tomorrow, He holds today, and only He knows the future. God knows what we each need and He will provide for all of our needs. We need not worry about tomorrow but we must be like the sparrows who trust God with their tomorrow and live their life without a worry of where their needs will come from. If God feeds the sparrows, are you not more valuable than they (Matthew 6:26)?

Right now, the world is in panic but here's a secret: you do not have to be! You don't! You have an opportunity to live in peace. You can live a life that all around you are striving for and longing for. The world is longing for hope and I have it right here for you:

Isaiah 26:3 "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in Him."

The key to peace is trust in the God that created the earth! The key is trust in that same God that feeds the sparrows and promises to provide for you as you are much more valuable than they! It is only expected to be anxious and even depressed right now because of the circumstances but there is hope for tomorrow and that is in the one who holds the world and holds this moment. He will calm your fears and give you peace when you seek and put your trust in Him. Right now, your faith is being exposed by the unexpected situation we are living in. The faith you have claimed many times before is being tested and in time you will either see yourself acting in light of that faith where you are actively trusting God, or you will find that your faith has been in yourself all along. If you do not believe that God will get you through this I say to you and myself "oh ye of little faith".

Matthew 6:30 "But if God clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, oh you of little faith?"