The Rescue

It happens at least once a year. We forget to close the door of our garage, and a tiny, winged friend gets trapped. Every time it’s happened, the hummingbird follows the same pattern of behavior. Instead of flying back out the open door, the frantic bird wings its way to the ceiling. Once all energy is spent, the little captive perches on the braces of the garage door opening mechanism, before continuing its relentless pursuit of freedom.

We’ve come to call these episodes, hummingbird rescues. Both cars need to be backed out of the garage before the rescue can be attempted. A makeshift net is created from odds and ends that reside in this space. Most recently, we attached a small butterfly net to a rake with some duct tape. Ah, the creativity we have to muster when time is of the essence. Hummingbirds require frequent feedings because of their enormous energy output, and our garage is not exactly a café for our feathered friends.

As the little bird continued his fruitless quest to return outside, my husband carefully extended the net in his direction. When the hummingbird once again reached exhaustion, he cautiously lighted on the edge of the net. Making every attempt not to startle our most recent captive, my husband slowly moved the net toward the open garage door. Not realizing we were trying to help him to freedom, the suspicious bird would fly anxiously toward the ceiling once again. When this happened repeatedly, I couldn’t help but mutter, “Doesn’t he know we’re trying to help him?”

On this journey of life, I’m afraid that I’ve caused my Creator to echo these very same words. I get myself into a situation that I think I can get out of. I rely on my wisdom to direct me toward an exit, expending valuable energy the entire time. I run out of strength. Resting is a necessity. Once energy is restored, I’m once again convinced I can figure this out, and I ignore the help that’s being extended to me in God’s Word.

All the while, my Heavenly Father has a clear view of the entire state of affairs, and has each way of escape clearly marked. His Word reminds me, “[It is] better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man” (Psalm 118:8; KJV). Trust is the key. Do I trust the Lord with life’s difficulties? He has proven Himself over and over, and yet I often hesitate to move in the direction He wants me to go. I’m often as stubborn as the children of Israel, demanding my way rather than submitting to His solution.

He reaches out to me with the safety net of His Word. Within its pages are the answers to all of life’s questions. Wisdom can be mined from its depths. Great truths can keep my feet firmly planted on the path He would have me to walk. When I feel trapped by life’s difficulties, I can call to mind that He is ever with me, His Word assures me, “… I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Heb. 13:5).

Are you feeling trapped by your circumstances today? Using all of your energy to find a way out? Look to God today. His Word contains the solutions. Ultimately, it is His truth that will make you free! “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).