My Pondering
Yes, God indeed takes care of His creation in His way. The world is broken due to the fall but it’s still blessed and beautiful; beautiful mess indeed.
I write indeed in that deeds, works, initiatives are most certainly necessary. On the contrary so is rest, trust, abiding, peace and serendipity.
There is an old word that isn’t commonly used these days which I like; providence. It was popular in the 1700’s as the founders of the United States of America often used as did George Washington often times.
“I flatter myself that a superintending Providence is ordering everything for the best, and that, in due time, all will end well.”
George Washington
—Letter to Landon Carter regarding American patriot’s prisoners in the North, October 27, 1777
“Glorious indeed has been our Contest: glorious, if we consider the Prize for which we have contended, and glorious in its Issue; but in the midst of our Joys, I hope we shall not forget that, to divine Providence is to be ascribed the Glory and the Praise.”
George Washington
—Letter to Reverend John Rodgers, June 11, 1783
“It is not a little pleasing, nor less wonderful to contemplate, that after two years Manoeuvring and undergoing the strangest vicissitudes that perhaps ever attended any one contest since the creation both Armies are brought back to the very point they set out from and, that that, which was the offending party in the beginning is now reduced to the use of the spade and pick axe for defense.
George Washington
The hand of Providence has been so conspicuous in all this, that he must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith, and more than wicked, that has not gratitude enough to acknowledge his obligations, but, it will be time enough for me to turn preacher, when my present appointment ceases; and therefore, I shall add no more on the Doctrine of Providence…”
—Private letter to Brigadier General Thomas Nelson, August 20, 1778
Washington had a grip on what Providence meant, he knew it well first hand.
“While I reiterate the professions of my dependence upon Heaven as the source of all public and private blessings;
George Washington
I will observe that the general prevalence of piety, philanthropy, honesty, industry, and economy seems, in the ordinary course of human affairs particularly necessary for advancing and conforming the happiness of our country.”
—Answering a letter from the General Assembly of Presbyterian Churches in the United States, May 1789
Here, he eloquently states is dependence upon God’s Providence then lists five essential traits we must personally and corporately enact to have a satisfactory level of happiness.
1. Piety – a state of humility and confidence in Providence. Washington was confident in his purpose but was not arrogant.
2. Philanthropy – the understanding that we need to give to gain and maintain. We who have should give as God is the good giver of all good things. Charity is noble, enabling dependency is not.
3. Honesty – telling the truth in being a person of integrity of words and deeds is critical to long term success in any endeavor. Honest is the best policy.
4. Industry – is the motor of accomplishment, the drive to work and make stuff happen. It is the crux of this very message. Having industrialized mindset is what it means to ‘hustle & grind’. It also happens to be a cornerstone of John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success.
5. Economy – is the understanding, strategy and tactics regarding the implementation of resources. It is spending the appropriate amount on the best initiatives. It is being a good and wise steward.
Back to birds
God takes care of His own and his own need to respond accordingly. Birds are programmed to do their thing. They don’t think, they just do. They don’t worry, they just fly. They don’t stress, the just sing. Let learn from nature, back to basics with the birds.
No Worries
25Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
Jesus
26Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns— and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
Matthew 6:25-27, BSB
When we begin to doubt, let’s lean on God. Let’s turn our worries into prayers where as something good can then happen as we pray for providential protection and blessing as our father George did.
I know every bird in the mountains,
Psalm 50:11
and the creatures of the field are Mine.
If you respond to God’s love and sing to Him like the birds, if you rise & shine for His glory you can have No Worries for Providence is on your side.
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?
Jesus,
Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.
Matthew 10:29
Pondering Life : Pursuing God 