6 Aren’t five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them is overlooked by God. 7 Even the hairs on your head are all counted. Don’t be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.
Reflection
Nothing escapes God’s notice.
I watched a documentary recently about a man who filmed the life of an octopus for 300+ days (check out My Octopus Teacher on Netflix – it’s a beautiful, moving film). In that time, which is the majority of an octopus life cycle, he bonded with this incredibly intelligent animal and witnessed behaviors rarely seen by any human before. In order to find his friend each day, he had to learn the power of observation – how to notice the trail of the octopus on the seafloor. In so doing, he obtained a glimpse into a secret world known only to God.
God knows the numbers of hairs on our heads, Jesus says. God sees the sparrows in the sky and the octopus in the sea. God knows where they live and observes them from the time they hatch to the day they die.
Nothing escapes God’s notice.
In the film, we watch the dramatic struggles of the octopus to survive against attacks from sharks and other predators. The filmmaker caught it all, and at times the viewer can’t help but weep for this beautiful creature.
When you think the things that you experience – your hurts, your pains, your disappointments and humiliations – go unseen and unnoticed by God, you couldn’t be further from the truth.
God sees. And God cares. You matter to God. If your Creator notices the struggles of the smallest creatures on earth, is it so hard to believe that God cares for you, too?
By Joe Monahan
For Pondering & Prayer
Our value is not determined by what people say about us. It’s determined by what God says about us. And here, Jesus says unequivocally that we matter. Our lives matter. Our experiences matter. Our hurts matter. Who do you know that needs to hear this message today. Is it you? Take some time to pray or journal about it. Is it a friend or family member? Take a moment to share this devotional with them.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for the reminder that you are paying attention – that you hear our cries and that you hear our prayers. When we doubt your care and concern, remind us of the cross and all Jesus did for us. Remind us of the times in our lives when you stepped in to save us. Remind us that we matter to you. Amen.
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