Learn from the Birds

Read: Isaiah 40:28-31; Matthew 11:28-30

“Finally, something in science I like learning about!” Marissa loosened the binocular cord around her neck. “I wonder what birds we’ll see on our nature walk?”

Mom headed down the boardwalk at their local nature preserve. “Or what birds we’ll hear!”

“I’m on it.” Troy pulled up the bird call identification app on his phone.

The family didn’t have to walk too far over the wetlands before Marissa pointed above them. “Isn’t that a bald eagle?” They watched the elegant bird turn circle after circle, seemingly effortlessly against the blue sky backdrop.

“It’s easy to spot with that bright white head and tail feathers,” Troy noted. “How does it turn circles like that without flapping its wings?”

“I’ll look it up.” Mom scrolled on her phone. “I didn’t know this! Eagles find a thermal column and ride it—it’s a column of warmer air that allows them to stay aloft.”

“So it’s resting, not working,” Marissa mused. “It reminds me of that verse from Isaiah: ‘Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles…’”

“You’re right!” said Mom. “God provided this bird with opportunities to rest by creating the thermal columns. Imagine how tired it would get if it just kept using its wings instead of relying on those wind currents?”

“Like how you sometimes do too much and forget to rest, Mom?” Troy poked Mom’s arm.

“Ouch, but you’re right. You both have seen how much better I manage my time and how much nicer my attitude is when I take time to rest in Jesus and remember that I’m saved because of what He’s done, not anything I do. After all, if the God who created all this thought it was important to rest on the seventh day, who am I to pretend like I can get by without rest?” Mom shrugged sheepishly.

“We all do it.” Marissa sighed. “Sometimes I want to read my favorite book series and I’m resting my body, but if I don’t spend time reading my Bible and talking to Jesus, I can get a little snippy.”

“Guess we can learn from the birds and rest in Jesus with both our bodies and our souls.” Troy grinned mischievously. “So, Mom, how about a day off school tomorrow?”

–Savannah Coleman

How about you? Do you ever get tired? We wouldn’t be human if we didn’t! God knows we need time to rest and be refreshed in our bodies and souls. This is so important that He rested after creating the world to show us how we should rest too. Perhaps you can take a walk in God’s creation and practice stillness. Maybe you can read an extra chapter in your Bible and meditate on it. How can you rest in Jesus today?

Today's Key Verse: But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)

Today's Key Thought: Resting in Jesus will give you strength