"Birds in Winter" 1/6/26

Dear Brothers & Sisters,

Our Lord taught us "Look at the birds of the air" (Matthew 6:26)

Some birds fly south, they let us know the cold dark season of winter is upon us. Their Creator has built within them a calendar for the times and seasons, so that they may migrate to warmer climates. But others stay in the cold and wake the dawn with their songs.

Consider the little black-capped chickadee, the american tree sparrow, or the downy woodpecker.

If such little creatures can sing when they must work constantly just to survive (some species burn 2-3 times their usual energy in winter). Then surely we can sing, brothers, when the times are dark and cold for God cares for you much more than for the sparrows.

Take heart for Christ has overcome the world. Your Heavenly Father has a purpose for such winter seasons though we do not now see them (I cannot explain your pain, nor will I try), yet in due time they shall end and those that endure the cold and dark by faith shall enter into a spring that shall usher in an endless summer. So let us of all people be cheerful in affliction. Do you doubt still? Look again at the birds. Listen to the voice of your savior who entered into our winters to redeem us. 

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26  Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27  And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28  And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29  yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30  But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31  Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32  For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33  But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34  “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:25-34)

In Christ's Service,

Matt