I find myself spending more time staring out my windows than I ever have before. (That’s life in 2020, right?!) The other day, I was admiring a beautiful bird with bright, bold colors. Then I noticed an ordinary robin, clad in mostly drab colors with muted red on its chest. It struck me that I looked right past the ordinary bird, not even seeing it as I watched its more intriguing feathered friend.  

Do you ever feel like the robin in my yard, wondering if God has overlooked you? Maybe you look around and see others who are more successful or more spiritual. You feel ordinary—or maybe even worse than ordinary—and think God couldn’t possibly care about someone like you. 

God is not like me—and that is good news! He doesn’t shower the attractive with His attention and ignore the ordinary. Our heavenly Father cares for all of His children. Listen to Jesus’ words in Matthew 10: 

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29-31)

Two for a penny—back in Jesus’ day, sparrows were the cheapest animal you could buy for your sacrifice. Even the poor could afford to buy one or two. And we read in Luke that if you paid two pennies, you could get five sparrows—they were of so little value that they’d throw in an extra for free. You can’t get much more ordinary than that! And yet, these insignificant birds are of great value in the eyes of their Creator. Not one falls to the ground without His knowledge and involvement. 

God’s care for us, His beloved children, is even greater, because we are of even greater value to Him. He knows each and every hair on our heads. God is concerned with and sovereign over even the smallest details of our lives. Nothing touches a hair on your head before passing through the hands of your loving, faithful, and sovereign heavenly Father. 

No matter what you face this week, fear not—God values you and cares for you. 

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A few weeks ago, I was texting with a friend about how much we’re missing out on this year. I typed the words, “Nothing good is happening right now.” As soon as I saw that sentence, it was like holding up a mirror to my heart. I knew those words reflected my raw attitude but not the heavenly reality. My eyes were set on things of earth rather than the things of heaven. 

When we look at this world and all its challenges and disappointments, it feels like nothing good is happening right now. But if we turn our eyes heavenward to our Heavenly Father, we will see the goodness of all His gifts to us. 

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:1-2)

In these verses, Paul encourages us to focus on Christ and all that we have in Him. He tells us to set our minds on things above rather than the things on earth, because he knows that the earthly treasure is fleeting and capricious. This world may temporarily satisfy us, but it can’t and won’t ultimately fulfill our desires. 

When Paul mentions Christ seated at the right hand of God, he wants us to remember the victorious Lamb of God. Christ has taken the punishment for our sin on the cross. He’s conquered death by rising again. He’s secured our salvation and defeated any enemy that could threaten to take us from Him. 

I’m thankful the whopping disappointment of 2020 isn’t all we have. We have things that are above—namely Christ and all He’s given to us. We have salvation, forgiveness, adoption, and a glorious future with Him. These heavenly treasures are secured by His grace and can never be taken away from those who are in Christ. 

No matter what you face this week, set your minds on things that are above. 

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I sometimes wonder if squirrels come to our yard just to torment our dog, Samson. They run up and down the tree next to the windows while Samson goes absolutely bonkers on the other side of the glass. If we open the back door to let him out, he runs at top speed directly for the squirrels, who always scamper up a tree and out of reach. Despite his lack of success, he is always consumed by his pursuit. 

In Psalm 23 we learn that as God’s beloved sheep, we lack nothing we need as we enjoy quiet waters and green pastures of refreshment. We are not alone as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Our cup overflows with the provision of our Shepherd. And in this final verse of the psalm, we see how God’s good gifts continue to pursue us now and through all our days. 

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” (Psalm 23:6)

The Hebrew word for “follow” could also be translated as pursue or chase. God’s goodness and mercy don’t amble behind us like a child who’s been sent to his room. They relentlessly pursue us and never let us out of their sight. We did nothing to earn them—they are a gift of God’s grace—and they can’t be taken away. These amazing gifts of goodness and mercy will follow us all the way to our eternal home, where we will dwell with the Lord forever. 

When it feels like God’s goodness can’t keep up with the troubles we face . . .

When we wonder if we’ve out-sinned the riches of His mercy . . . 

When we feel alone and discouraged and we can’t see evidence of His presence with us . . . 

Let’s take comfort in this truth: God’s goodness and mercy are following us all the days of our lives. He is with us now, and He sent His Son so that we can be with Him forever. 

No matter what you face this week, God’s goodness and mercy are yours forever. 

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