by Jennifer Greene-Sullivan
“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” — Matthew 6:26 (ESV)
As I painted a family of robins resting on a power line, I thought I was simply remembering the birds that visited my childhood backyard. While worship music filled the room, however, I heard the words, “Lord, we are dependent on You.” In that moment, the painting became more than a peaceful country scene. It became a lesson in faith.
The birds confidently perched on the wire without giving it a second thought. They didn’t question whether it would hold them or worry about where their next meal would come from because they simply rested where they had landed because God created them to trust His provision. The wire supported their feet, but it was never their provider.
How often do we mistake the wire for the Source?
We place our confidence in a paycheck, a career, a retirement account, our health, or even our own abilities. Those things have value, but they were never designed to carry the weight of our trust. They are merely instruments the Lord uses to provide. Our security has always rested in the hands of the Father.
Faith has a remarkable way of changing our perspective; it leads us away from the exhausting pursuit of self-sufficiency and into joyful dependence upon our Creator. The world applauds independence, but the kingdom of God teaches something entirely different. Jesus never called His followers to rely on themselves. He continually invited them to trust the Father.
As I looked at the cross standing in the center of my painting, I realized it had quietly become the focal point. The birds rested on the wire, but the cross reminded me where true hope is found. Everything we have, everything we need, and every breath we take is sustained by the One who laid down His life for us.
Have we spent too much time thanking the wire and not enough time worshiping the One who holds both the wire and the birds?
The Christian life is not about becoming stronger in ourselves; ultimately, it is about becoming increasingly aware of our dependence upon Christ. The more we know Him, the less we strive to carry burdens we were never meant to bear. Like the birds, we can rest—not because life is predictable but because our Shepherd is faithful.
The wire was never enough.
It was always more than a wire.
It was always about the God who faithfully holds us all.
Scripture Study
- Matthew 6:25–34
- Psalm 23
- John 15:1–11
- Philippians 4:19
Challenge
Take a moment today to ask yourself, “What wire have I mistaken for my source?” Then thank God for the people, opportunities, and provisions He has placed in your life—but worship Him alone as your Provider. Faith grows as we loosen our grip on self-sufficiency and learn to rest in His faithful care.
Prayer
Father, thank You for faithfully providing for every need in my life. Forgive me for the times I have placed my trust in things You intended only as tools of Your provision. Teach me to depend upon You more each day and to rest in the confidence that You are my Shepherd, my Provider, and my Sustainer. When fear tempts me to rely on myself, remind me that true strength is found in surrender. Help me to abide in Christ, trusting that the One who cares for the birds also faithfully cares for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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