Earlier this evening I was in the garage changing the oil in my riding mower. (That's an exciting Friday night for us old folks.) It was after dark and I heard a buzzing noise near one of the garage windows. A hummingbird had gotten in there (I guess he was attracted to the light). Even though both garage doors were open, he couldn't seem to find his way out. I tried to shoo him in the right direction, but he was so tired he couldn't move. I gently picked him up (surprised that he let me) and laid him on top of a trash can that was outside. I thought he was dying - he was lying on his side, still breathing but his eyes were rolling in his head. After a bit, he sat upright, then a few minutes later he started to flutter his wings. Finally, he flew away. I was relieved that he was ok. As I walked away, I suddenly recalled the words of the Lord: "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, ESV)
I was so concerned about this hummingbird. I did everything I could to help him. I was patient and gentle with him, trying to ensure his survival. And then I recalled the Lord's words about the value of a bird versus the value of a human being. If I was that concerned with the welfare of a hummingbird, shouldn't I be infinitely more concerned with the welfare of my fellow man? Taking it a step further: what if we loved one another as much as God loves us? Not that we'll ever get there, but that is the ideal we should be striving for. "Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." (1 John 4:8-11, ESV) Imagine a world where everyone follows this teaching to the fullest extent that it implies. Just imagine.
