Bird Drama

Last night, upon pulling into the driveway, I tapped the garage door opener, and much to my surprise, a robin from a nearby shrub, flew right into my garage.  I fretted a bit, then decided to keep the door open for her to find her way out.  After about 10 minutes of her fretting as well, she calmed down and hopped her way out via the cement floor. Crisis avoided.

I began to think about this experience and how often we must appear to God as that little robin appeared to me.  I was a bit confused why after flying several laps (and me chasing her with a fishing net) she didn't just get out the way she came? The garage opening is like 20x12!  

I could plainly see the way she needed to go, but in a panic, she so desperately could not.  Not unlike that bird, we humans tend to react in panic mode when caught in unfortunate circumstances.  It is only when we stop searching for our own solution that God can show us the way He planned all along.  And also like my feathered friend, we have the potential to really injure ourselves when we take matters into our own hands.  Emotions are not meant to compass us.

I have read before that God's vantage point of our lives is like that of someone in a skyscraper watching a parade pass on the street below.  He is able to see the start and the distant finish.  We are marching, perhaps with little direction or in much confusion... Until we readjust our focus to Him above rather than the shuffle happening around us.  That shuffle can come in the form of minor adversity or major tragedy.

Isn't it a peaceful notion, though, that we are guaranteed victory? When situations and stress presses us from all sides, our Savior is standing alongside and nudging, "I have all power.  Call on me. I will not fail you."  

My plans are not your plans, and my thoughts are not your thoughts, declares the Lord. (Isaiah 55:8)

God proves his faithfulness time and time again. We forget this.  We are so human, so fragile, and so needy.  In any time of crisis, let us lean into the One who knows and sees it all from beginning to end.  God will provide you a solution.  It may take 10 years or 10 minutes.  At any rate, stop flying laps and allow yourself to be carried.