Unnoticed…unseen…Have you, too, felt that way? A few years ago, a precious friend left this sweet little bird on my porch. I’m not sure she knew how significant it was to me at the time. Not long after I received it, one of the kids dropped it on the floor, and its tail broke off. At the time, I remember thinking how appropriate that was. I was broken too, and I felt like everyone could see that by just a quick glance. I considered gluing the tail back on, but I felt that then we wouldn’t have as much in common. 

Just the other day, while cleaning, I discovered my little bird had fallen behind the dresser. Tears came to my eyes as I thought about her…about myself. About the journey we’ve been on since she showed up on my porch that day…

Consider the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they? – Matthew 6:26

Sometimes, we feel all alone- tucked away in a little hiding spot- out of reach- unimportant-unseen-perhaps even a little lost. It occurs to me that this little trinket of mine…my Jesus knew that it had fallen behind the dresser. He saw it. It’s a little bit of resin and paint, and He knew it was there. He knew I would find it that day. He knew that it would remind me of a time in my life where I felt entirely invisible and empty…like a wasteland.

For the Lord will comfort Zion; he will comfort all her waste places, and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and melodious song.” -Isaiah 51:3 

You? Me? Families across the world who are fleeing their homes in desperation just hoping to find safe refuge? How much more does He care for those he created in His own image? He meets their needs. It delights Him to meet the needs of His image bearers. How much more will he do for us? He turns our wilderness to Eden…our desert to the garden of the Lord! Isn’t that amazing? “Joy and gladness will be found in her…” Let it be, Lord.

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heav’n and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

-Civilla D Martin

You see, Messiah Jesus, walked himself right on to death because of His great love for us. And, I just want to thank my new friend, Amy Flattery, for reminding me that on that path that led to His death, He stopped along the way because He SAW people. He SAW the lepers; He SAW the blind man; He SAW Zacchaeus; He SAW Mary and Martha and Lazarus. He could have walked right on to the cross, knowing that salvation would come from the work he was about to accomplish there. He could have skipped right on over the hurting and the broken. But he wanted more than just eternal salvation for people. He came that we may have life and have it to the full!

We have great reason to celebrate, friends. And trust me when I say that I know it isn’t always that easy. Whatever season you find yourself in right now, know that His eye is on YOU. You are seen and known. He paused on his walk to the cross for you! You have not escaped His attention. You are so precious and valuable to Him, and He wants you to begin to grasp that concept, breathe deep, and live the abundant life.

-Check out Amy Flattery’s Refresh podcast! . Amy is the director of the Center for Holy Lands Studies for the Assemblies of God, and she is currently doing an 8 part series on the Journey to the Resurrection. I highly recommend!