Tuesday, September 21, 2010

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).

7 comments:

  1. How sweet! I can just see Steve edging toward the garage door.

    I just read a picture book called It's a Hummingbird's Life--cute illustrations!

    Did you ever try attaching a red flower to the net? Or putting a feeder in the garage, and when the hummer eats, net him/her?

    And yes, I know God has said the same thing many times about me. Sigh.

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  2. Thank you for another great post Maria! It feels kind of embarrasing to be compared with a hummingbird, but you're right, I actually think we resemble the frantic movements of that little bird too... always busy, going here and there, hardly ever time to quietly sit down.... I watch those birds in my back yard :) I guess, like God is watching us.

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  3. Wise words, and I needed them today. Thank you. He does have all the answers.
    Blessings,
    Karen

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  4. Hi Maria,
    Lovely post as always. The Lord does have all the answers and He is always beside us.
    Have a great day!
    Blessings

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  5. Stef - The red flower is a good idea! I think we did put some type of flower on the net in a previous rescue. Thanks for stopping by! I really appreciate your comments! :)

    Marja - You're right! Our movements do tend to resemble the hummingbird's at times. Read this great thought from Elizabeth Elliot's book, Discipline the Glad Surrender, "There is always enough time to do the will of God...When we find ourselves frantic and frustrated, harried and harassed and 'hassled,' it is a sign that we are running on our own schedule, not on God's." Wow! Trying to truly grasp that one!! God bless!

    Karen - What a relief to know He DOES have all the answers! Have a very blessed week, my friend! Praying that all of your classes are going well. :)

    Linda - Thank you for your gracious words. Comforting to know that He is always beside us! Hugs and blessings to you, too!

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  6. Sometimes I think that freedom is much closer and easier than we think. I imagine that hummingbird didn't know how freedom would come. "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free."

    Fondly,
    Glenda

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  7. It really is simple isn't it and yet we make it so hard...just like that bird fighting your rescue!

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