Several years ago on the farm, we had a big back porch and I loved to sit in the swing and sip my morning coffee. I enjoyed watching the hummingbirds coming for their morning refreshment and chatter to me as they flew past. They sounded like a dolphin as they chattered their thanks to me for the food. Sometimes they paused right in front of my face! It seemed they each had their own personality. One felt safe and secure as it sat sipping away. The other was nervous and skittish at any movement.
I can’t help thinking about those hummingbirds and how we might relate to God in the same ways. The hummingbird who comes to the feeder will sit and drink to his delight without fear of me or his surroundings. Similarly, those who trust in God’s goodness will dwell near Him and enjoy His provision. They have learned to trust in Him and His goodness. On the other hand, the flighty bird is not quite sure he can trust his provider enough to land on the feeder, like the person who enjoys God’s goodness and provision but hasn’t come to trust Him completely.
If we are honest, we can admit that sometimes we can be like both hummingbirds. At times we fully trust God with our lives, unafraid of where He is leading us. We experience His peace and enjoy His presence. But at other times, when we experience difficult circumstances, or we doubt God, not sure what He is doing in our lives, we may become anxious. We still partake of His provisions, but we become fearful and our trust wavers.
Philippians 4:6-7 tells us not to be anxious about anything and instructs us how to regain our peace—by prayer and thanksgiving. Hebrews 11:6 says, “Without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (ESV). Yet, we can ask God to increase our faith, that we would trust Him no matter what our current circumstances are or how we feel. We need to learn to trust and rest in His presence so we can say, like the psalmist: “I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation” (Psalm 13:5 ESV)
