Being Fed

At our house, we have a couple of bird feeders. We've been feeding the birds for several years now, and plan to continue as long as possible. It's relaxing to be able to sit and watch the birds eating, and listen to them sing their songs. Typically, we see blue jays, sparrows, golden finches, chickadees, junkos (I think that is what they are called) and mourning doves around the feeders. In the past, there has even been a cardinal visit. Mind you, we get robins too, but they don't come to the feeders.

Often, I've noticed that when there is only one or two birds at the feeders, they will look up often, turning their head this way and that as they search for possible approaching enemies, then turn back for another seed or two before repeating the process. When there are several of our feathered friends feasting, they get to eat more because they don't have to look up as often for enemies (they can take turns watching, I suppose).

I remember my dad saying one time that he had been talking with one of the men he worked with (my dad is since retired), and they were discussing feeding the birds (I have no idea how or why they got onto this topic). This man said that he felt it was a waste of time and money to feed the birds - why should he waste his hard earned money on buying bird seed. My dad said that it didn't really cost too much, and besides, he was helping to take care of some of God's little creatures.

Obviously birds also get their food from other sources, other than bird feeders set up by people. There are flowers, bugs, and worms (and who knows what else they will eat)...things that people can't provide; however, God cares enough for the birds of the air that He makes sure they have something to eat.

And just like the birds, God provides food for us. I'm not talking about the food we need to eat for our physical self; I'm talking about the food we need for our spiritual self. Yes, God does meet our needs (and one of our needs is food to nourish our bodies) physically; but, God also meets our needs spiritually. Our spiritual nourishment is the Bible - the Word of God.

"Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?" (Matthew 6:26, NASB)

If we don't eat often enough, or if we don't eat right, we will get sick. Our bodies depend on food for vitamins, minerals and nourishment. Our spiritual body is the same way - it needs to be fed or it, too, will get sick. Staying away from daily readings and meditations from the Bible will cause our spirits to grow weak and sick. Have you ever spent a great deal of time away from reading the Bible, only to find that you felt miserable and/or out of touch with God? That is because your spirit was feeling sick. I know I've been guilty of this myself, and it is not a very pleasant feeling.

Jesus tells us, in the above verse, that we are worth more than the birds to God. When we have something of worth, we take care of it. Therefore, since we are worth so much to God, we need to take care of us - physically and spiritually. The next time you sit down to breakfast, why not pull out your Bible and read while you eat your cereal and toast, or drink your coffee. The next time you have a snack in the evening, pull out your Bible and meditate on a verse or two at the same time. So, just as God provides nourishment for the birds, He also provides nourishment for us.

Read your Bible - your spirit's health depends on it :o)