At times on walks around the neighborhood we hear the sound of a hummingbird. Our area is home to the broad-tailed hummingbird, the male of which makes a unique trilling noise while in flight. On rare occasions we might spot the bird feeding on flowers or resting on a branch. But more often we only catch the sound without being able to spot the bird in flight.
This year we decided to put out two hummingbird feeders to attract these beautiful but elusive creatures to our yard. Providing the hummingbirds homemade “nectar” enables us to watch them in action. Our backyard feeder hangs just outside the glass door by our kitchen table. I find myself now looking at that feeder regularly, hoping to catch a glimpse of one eating. And when I do, I stop whatever I’m doing to watch, awed by the speed of their wings and their beautiful coloring. I feel blessed to have witnessed such a rare sight.
Usually, though, I am busy doing, thinking about other matters, unaware of the hummingbirds and the many wonders nature offers. In a similar way, as Christians we often go about our days only occasionally and vaguely aware that God is with us. We occasionally get the sense of an unexpected peace or joy but don’t acknowledge the source. Or we experience relief, having been spared some terrible event, but don’t take the time to connect the dots. Our awareness of His presence gets lost in the busy-ness of life.
Yet God has always wanted us to be aware of Him. Adam and Eve recognized His presence with them in the Garden (Genesis 3). When God led the children of Israel out of Egypt, He promised Moses, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest” (Exodus 33:14). He manifested Himself as pillars of cloud and fire in the wilderness (Exodus 13:21). King David often took the time to acknowledge God’s presence. In Psalm 139 David asks the rhetorical question, Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?—the answer being, nowhere!
And when God finally manifested Himself as Christ the babe, Matthew explains, Now all this took place so that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet would be fulfilled: “Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a Son, and they shall name Him Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.”
God IS with us!
Physically, our hummingbird feeders enable more frequent bird sightings. And spiritually, we can raise our awareness of God in practical ways. Pray without ceasing and in everything give thanks (I Thessalonians 5:17-18). Cast your cares on Him. Let go of fear, bitterness, anger (I Peter 5:6-7; Ephesians 4:31). Think on things that are noble, pure, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). Take time to worship (John 4:24) and to study God’s Word (2 Timothy 3:16).
In Revelation 21:3 John heard God declare, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them.” God has always been with us. Let’s raise our awareness and be thankful.
Thank you, Carrie – I had a rare visit from a hummingbird to my porch this morning and he was such a welcome sight! His visit was very timely…