Read Psalm 104:10-13. 10You make springs gush forth in the valleys; they flow between the hills; 11they give drink to every beast of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst. 12Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell; they sing among the branches. 13From your lofty abode you water the mountains; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work.
God isn’t only the creator of all things, he is also the sustainer of all things. All of nature’s systems flow from the heart of a loving God and reflect the self-sacrifice that is the love of God. The sky gives its water to the mountain springs, which then give drink to every beast of the field. The tree gives its seed to the ground so that more trees grow creating more branches for the birds. If we will open our eyes to it, we can see the sacrificial give and take of divine love in all of creation.
God made humanity to be his image bearing servant-protectors of this creation. Not just to give us something to do, but as a form of worship. No, not worshiping creation of course, but worshiping the God of creation whose holy Trinitarian love is reflected in all creation.
This is why Jesus reminds us to look at the birds when we begin to worry. They are provided for by God yet work hard all day gathering. They have only what they need for the preset moment, yet they sing among the branches. If this is God’s care for the birds and beasts, doesn’t he care far more for those of us who are in Christ? His new creation? Of course he does. If he cared enough to send his Son to die for you, providing salvation for you, providing every blessing in Christ for you, do you really think he has lost track of you today?
To live is Christ is to trust the God of creation who sustains all things not just logically, but lovingly. It is to move through worry to trust, through doubt to faith, knowing that in Christ God cares for you as much as he does his Son, Jesus.
You: In what ways do you tend to worry about your future?
You in Christ: How does your union with Christ allow you to trust God’s loving care for you?
Christ in you: Go outside and spend some time in nature. How many examples of Christ’s sacrificial love can you see in the creation around you?
Pray: Father, all creation reflects your self-sacrificing love. Let my life do the same as I trust your loving care for me. Amen.
To Live is Christ 