I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14 ESV

Tiny Tenacity

While washing dishes yesterday, I became captivated by the tenacity of a tiny bird. With bold courage, the bird picked up a twig twice the length of itself, and up, up, up flew the little bird. Oh no! Dropped it! Down went the twig. The tenacious little bird tried and tried again until our feathered friend finally overcame the battle of the twig. She had a goal, she focused on her goal, and she pressed on until she reached her goal. Admiring her tenacity, I applauded the tiny bird from my kitchen window.

In the yard with my dogs today, I watched an aerial circus overhead as a gray squirrel flew from tree to tree teasing my dogs with his acrobatics. A skinny little branch caught my eye as it bounced up and down. A tiny bird had landed on the flimsy branch and appeared to be enjoying the ride as if on a bungee cord. She began to pull and chew on the end of the branch, working with tenacity until it finally separated from the rest of the branch. She flew away with the twig to the tree by my kitchen window. I wondered if it was the same tiny bird I watched ardently working on the giant twig yesterday.

It made me wonder, what is MY goal? Am I pressing toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus, as Paul?

I stand amazed at God’s creation. He placed within a tiny bird the instinct to know what to do, when to do it, and even how to accomplish the goal. 2 Corinthians 9:8 reminds me, “God is able to make all grace abound to you so that in all things and at all times, HAVING ALL THAT YOU NEED, you will abound in every good work.” God has equipped you and me to accomplish all that He places before us, just as He equipped the tiny bird to gather twigs and prepare a nest.

“Father, You have equipped us to do all You called us to do and WILL call us to do. You do not ask for our ability, but only our “avail”-ability. You provide all the ability we need for the task You set before us. Your Word gives all the wisdom and instruction we need to fulfill our calling. Please help us to be as tenacious as the tiny little birds to finish our assignments and reach our goal. ‘Not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. So don’t be afraid, You are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows’ (Matthew 10:29, 31). May our lives be pleasing to You as we perform for an audience of ONE.”