What do you know about sparrows? Take this quiz and see.
Sparrows were brought from England to American in 1851 to control caterpillars. Flying at 24 miles per hour, they certainly get around. Expanding to nearly every state and continent the 40 varieties of sparrows tend to settle in urban areas. 1 Did you know all the answers?
When warm weather comes, I wonder if the sparrows will pop up. A few years ago, birds made a nest in our door wreath. We even had a nest in our mailbox! It sure made getting our mail a challenge. Based on a sparrow’s reputation, in both cases, I wouldn’t be surprised if the birds were sparrows.
CAN YOU RELATE TO THE SPARROW?
APPEARANCE
Have you ever seen a sparrow? They tend to be small, plump with stubby tails and brown-grey coloring. Have you ever thought, “I am too short, too heavy, I am too this or that. Who could love me?” God does. God loves and values the sparrow and He loves and values us.
OUR APPEARANCE DOESN’T AFFECT GOD’S LOVE FOR US.
For the Lord does not see as man sees;
for man looks at the outward appearance,
but the Lord looks at the heart,
I Samuel 16:7b
IMPORTANCE
We have sparrows around our house. When I tried to take a picture of them, they just faded into the background like the stonefish above and just like some of us. Do you ever feel unimportant like you fade into the background wherever you go? Have you wondered, “There is nothing special about me, so who could love me?” God does. To Him we are each important. He sees us. We will never fade into the background with Him.
You have looked deep into my heart, Lord,
and you know all about me.
You know when I am resting or when I am working,
and from heaven you discover my thoughts.
You notice everything I do
and everywhere I go,
Psalm 139:1-3 CEV
TROUBLESOME
Sparrows have a reputation for nesting anywhere you don’t want them. These impertinent and troublesome birds build nests in any crack or crevice, water pipe, window or roof eave. With all of their impertinent behavior, who could love them? God does. In fact, He watches over them.
Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin?
And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will,
Matthew 10:29
Have you ever been labeled as troublesome? Sometimes we make mistakes, get involved with the wrong crowd and perhaps act impertinent. Does God still love us? Yes! He loves us just like the troublesome sparrow.
But God, who is rich in mercy,
because of His great love with which He loved us,
Ephesians 2:4
VALUE
Does a sparrow have value? In Palestine they were numerous and of little value to the people. Like the scripture says, 2 sparrows were sold for a cooper coin. God still valued them, but He values you more.
But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows,
Matthew 10:30-31
As human beings we value the things we love and so does God. He values and loves us. He even counts the hairs on our head! His value and love for us will never be based on people’s opinions. By faith, we can see ourselves as He sees us; valuable and loved.
GOD’S LOVE IS UNCONDITIONAL
God’s love for us is not based on our appearance, perceived importance or behavior. We cannot earn it nor can we destroy it. There is nothing we can do to make God love us any more or any less. There is nothing we can do that will separate us from God’s unconditional love. “Unconditional love is never based upon the merit of the one receiving it, it is based upon the loving nature of the one giving it.”2 God is love. His very nature is love. (1 John 4:8b).
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life,
nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,
nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing,
shall be able to separate us from the love of God
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord,
Romans 8:38-39 CJB
No matter what we have done, whether we love God or not, He loves us just as we are. By faith, we can receive His love.
This is love:
not that we loved God,
but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins,
1 John 4:10 NIV
REFLECTION
Can you relate to the sparrow?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, as I write Matthew 10:30-31 and say it aloud, help me to put other’s opinions aside and see myself as the valuable and loved person You see me to be. Help me to receive Your unconditional love for me. In Jesus name. Amen.
BY FAITH SEE YOURSELF AS GOD DOES
May your day be filled with love and laughter!
________________________________________________________________________________________________
For information on making Jesus Christ your Savior, email me or visit, http://www.peacewithgod.net/
1 www.birdsandblooms.com, www.pestwiki.com
2 Experiencing Father’s Embrace by Jack Frost
Photo 1 sparrow, betexion
Photo stonefish, lpittman
Photo sparrows on roof, Montevideo
