Jesus cares about your situation.

We’d had a late dusting of overnight snow, so I stepped out to look for anything interesting to photograph. I had expected our daffodils to be bent over and damaged from the unanticipated burden of ice. Instead, most stood tall above the thin coating of white in stark contrast to and seemingly in defiance of their surroundings.

I can imagine the bulb releasing the tender shoot to begin its struggle for warmth and light as it welcomes the arrival of spring. That whole process of pushing through the soil and awakening outside always seemed to be a great metaphor for life.

We work, persevering through small and big obstacles alike, all the while striving to get to the point of full bloom, basking in the glow of a life of abundance and joy.

Then something unexpected like a spring snow comes along.

I will leave it to you to consider what your spring snow may be. If you’ve gone through it or are in the middle of it, you won’t have a problem recognizing it. And, no matter what it is, Jesus cares.

“…Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? …” (Matthew 6:26-30, New American Standard Bible)

This passage and the verses before and after it have enough instruction to fill books. Here, Jesus is addressing worry and anxiety. He’s not saying we shouldn’t give any thought to how we will be fed or clothed but that we should not let these concerns overwhelm us. These are real, important needs. They must be met and we can rely on Him meeting those needs.

He compares and contrasts us to birds and flowers. They, like us are His creation and He takes care of them. And, if He takes care of them, how much more are we worthy of His care than they? We are His finest creation, made in His image, brought to life by His breath.

I look at that daffodil, its simple beauty, the steps it takes to maturity and am amazed. I then look around me and see my fellow human beings and consider what it must take to create, grow, and sustain our lives. I can’t comprehend it. In fact, I quickly get to the one answer for all the many things I can’t understand. Only God can do that.

If you’re going through something or supporting someone who is, look to God. Nothing is too big, complex, or scary for Him. Before you were born He knew exactly what you would experience and when.

Let the beauty and complexity of nature be a reminder. When you see birds and flowers, know God is taking care of them and He will take care of you.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment and I’ll respond.