Sparrows

I’m learning how (emotionally) overwhelming ministry can be at times. When you put yourself entirely into God’s hands at the service others, you run into situations and moments that give you new perspectives on life, gratitude, need, hope, despair, and more.

Last week after a evening of outreach to a family in need in our community, I was driving home when these words came to me, which I later posted on Facebook:

I’m coming to believe that when Christ weeps, or even when he goes up the mountain or across the water to pray, that it’s for anyone who has a deep longing or unanswered need.

Then when I was coming home from helping them a bit more again this week, I was overcome by the emotion of the moment and the pain of their situation. Jason Gray’s song “Sparrows” came on the radio just then, and I was reminded that each life, each moment, good or bad, is in God’s hands.

“If he can hold the world, he can hold this moment.”

This week as we wrap up the liturgical year and turn the page to a “new year” in the Church, we’re left with the lingering memory of the Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. On the last Sunday of the Church year, we reflected upon Christ as the King of all time and space. This has long been one of my very favorite days in the Church year.

All of us – rich or poor, blessed and needy, whole or broken, are like sparrows in the hands of a good, gracious, and merciful King.

“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?

Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin.

But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them.

If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith?

So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’

All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.

But seek first the kingdom [of God] and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.”

-Matthew 6:25-33

As we turn toward our secular holiday of Thanksgiving, I give thanks for all the blessings I have, and that all of us have, from the King of creation. And I ask for the blessing of His grace to continue to sustain me, and to help me grow, in His service.