‘Little bird’ – by Reint den Toonder

One of the passages in the Bible that always strikes me is the following:
Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. (Luke 12:6-7, NASB1995)
As an amateur birdwatcher I have seen many sparrows in my life. In town, on the rooftops, and in fields, in small groups tucked into thick bushes. Although there are so many, God knows all of them. Still it is hard for me to grasp the core of what these words written in Luke mean.
A few weeks ago I wrote a poem. It is about a bird even smaller than a sparrow. For me, writing this down helps me to bring the words from Luke to life. If this is how God sees and cares about one small bird then what does that say about how He sees you and cares for you?
Victorious
Curled up,
Hidden deep in the reed,
Taking cover from the rain,
Not a sound, not in sight.
Just one little bird,
Small and fragile,
Going about its routine,
But longing to be someone else.

If only I was that mighty eagle,
High above the clouds,
If only I was a strong seabird,
Soaring mightily through the sky.

But you, little bird,
You are one of a kind,
Made to enjoy life,
You are free to be you.

Even though you’re no mighty eagle,
Feel free to rise up in the sky,
You’re not made to be a seabird,
Do not flee from who you are.

Yes, you little bird,
You don’t have to hide in the reed,
Go ahead, go sit in the sun,
That’s where you belong.

Even when the sun is hidden,
Yes, even when it rains,
No need for you to hide,
For you are made to shine.

Come and see this little bird!
Such a beautiful sight!
Unshaken by the rain,
Filled with humble pride.