The Robin

Matthew 10:29-32 – 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. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven. (ESV)

My parents had a problem with some mice that made holes in their garden furniture. So they set up a mousetrap alongside where the foam-cushioned chairs were stored in the shed. A robin, however, managed to get to sample the cheese and spring the trap first.

The robin, being taller and a little bigger than a mouse, did not get caught in the trap, but instead received a severe blow to the head when the trap was sprung. It stood still for quite some time, with its head on one side, and I wondered if it had been mortally damaged, because it did not move from the spot.

Being a bit of a sensitive soul, I was stopped in my tracks by the event — as if I had been hit in the chest with a baseball bat. Consequently, I automatically offered up a prayer that the bird might be healed, so that no harm would come from the incident.

Imagine my rejoicing later when the robin perked up and flew away! The next day, it returned to the safety of the birdtable in the garden. Despite the removal of the trap, I expect that it will not be venturing near the shed again!

As I prayed, the words of Jesus in today's passage came to mind, and subsequently, these remarks from God to Jonah:

Jonah 4:10-11 – And the Lord said, "You pity the plant, for which you did not labour, nor did you make it grow, which came into being in a night and perished in a night. And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?" (ESV)

Out of the blue, I realised that this was a word from above, into my ear. Yes, God cares about this little robin, but He also cares for the lost. Like Jonah, I was challenged. When was the last time I had asked for God to work out His purposes to reach others through me? Who is God waiting to bless in response to my prayers? Where is our life in action for prayers and salvation today? It made me think about the greater plan God has for each one of us in His service. Where are our priorities today?

Prayer: Lord, please forgive us, yet again, for we have become self-centred and forgetful of Your kingdom's priorities. We welcome Your Holy Spirit into every area of our lives and prayers. Open our spiritual eyes to see the bigger picture for the world into which You are sending us today, because we ask it in the name of Jesus. Amen.

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