Throughout this spring, I’ve been captivated by the devotion of a male bluebird, diligently guarding his mate as she constructed her nest in their house. From the first signs of nest-building to the relentless task of feeding their offspring once they hatched, his watchful eye never wavered. It’s a scene of protective love, a sight that reflects a deeper truth about the care we receive from our heavenly Father.
As I observe the male bluebird’s vigilance, especially when our cat or a fox squirrel ventures near, I’m reminded of the ever-watchful eye of God over us. Psalms 121:8 assures us, “The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.” Likewise, Proverbs 15:3 reminds us, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.”
The trust the mother bluebird places in her mate’s watchful eye mirrors the trust we should have in our heavenly Father’s constant care. It can be challenging to grasp that the Creator of the universe, the great I AM, is intimately concerned with each of us individually. Yet, He is not only the God of all creation but also “Abba, Father” to each of us. In the remarkable intimacy of this relationship, Jesus showed us the way, and the Spirit enables us to approach God with familiarity, trust, and vulnerability.
Through the Spirit, we can address God with the tender term “Abba,” expressing our dependency and intimacy with Him. The Spirit assures us that we need not fear God but can approach Him as our loving and compassionate Father, always attentive to our hearts and seeking to bless our lives.
As we journey through life, let us remember the words of Romans 8:14-15: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” Just as the bluebird watches over its nest ceaselessly, every minute of every day, we can depend on the watchful eye of our loving heavenly Father, our “Abba, Father.”
Grover Duling, Executive Board
