A Bird’s Limitations

While it could fly well, sing beautifully and catch insects swiftly, it was suddenly restricted within our special netting.

Matthew 19:16-30

Reference: v.16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” (TNIV Bible)

Explore: There is a very clever little bird that lives around my house. It flies around gracefully, it sings a pretty little trill in the morning, and it eats all the mosquitoes that buzz around our backyard.

However, the other day we discovered its limitations.

We had put a net over our tomato plants to stop little creatures from eating the fruit before it was ripe to pick. This had been successful for a couple of days until the other evening when we walked outside.

My husband thought he heard some rustling amongst the plants, and when he looked closer, he noticed that clever little bird had got itself trapped within the netting. While it could fly well, sing beautifully and catch insects swiftly, it was suddenly restricted within our special netting.

Not wanting to scare the bird any further, my husband moved the netting and the bird became free. We don’t know how long it had been trapped for, but I’m sure it was very relieved to take flight into the open sky again.

Application: As humans we are very skilled. Every person has great gifts and abilities… and yet we are also limited.

When it comes to being accepted into God’s Kingdom the only thing that will get us there is God’s grace. We can keep all the commands, say the right words, and do all the right things, however, that is not enough.

Some people give up hope thinking they could never please God. And yet, if we try with only human strength, then we may as well not even bother trying!

Jesus reminded the disciples: “With human beings this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (v.26)

Let us not limit ourselves and get trapped in the ways of this world, but allow our Lord and Saviour to come and free us to allow us to soar in God’s kingdom.

Prayer: Lord God, only You can really save us. I put aside all my strengths and abilities and rely once again on Your all-saving power. Amen.

What is an impossible task you see before you? Give it over to our all-powerful God.

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