The Lesson of the Sparrow
This beautiful feather-winged creature, with a voice bigger than itself, sings out every morning. The early bird sets off to catch his worm. Dodging raindrops, soaring like a military airplane through the battlefields, this tiny music box doesn’t seem to be bothered by any obstacles around him. Swift and agile, he moves and thinks as fast as his wings.
Under the watchful eye of his newly found love, he so patiently weaves his low-hanging nest. He doesn’t stop singing. If you listen carefully, his chirps grow louder each time. Merrily, they synchronise their movements, gracefully building a life together, under open skies, and against the winds of life.
Who feeds them? Who cares for them? Where do they store their food?
Yet, God remembers them all. Fret not, for He loves you more than these sparrows. As long as His eye is on them, you know He watches over you, too. (Luke 12:22-26)
The Lesson of the Pearl
She is strung together and draped around the necks of the wealthy. This luscious bead of pristine value is the work of an irritant. Birthed from discomfort, the pearl is what it is. Provoked and irritated to a point where resistance had to be built.
At first, she is uncomfortable, but the more she endeavours, the tougher she grows. Layer upon layer, she coats this thorn in her flesh, perfecting her fruit of longsuffering. Through her resistance against irritation, she becomes a jewel. From a grain of irritant in an oyster to a strong, resilient, and iridescent piece of jewel. (Matthew 13:44-46)
The Lesson of the Waterfall
So gracefully she flows, over the riverbed. Dancing, as the sun rises above her. Smooth as glass, she glides. She gathers up whatever she desires, reshaping the course before her. Many may drink of her, for she bears life and love to all who embrace her. She is innocent and free, yet unaware of the course that lies ahead.
She meanders, resting and relying on her riverbed.
But without warning, the earth beneath her gives way. She falls. She loses herself. For the bed she once so heavily depended upon is no longer hers.
Grace and pain mangled together, she holds onto herself. All that is left for her to do is fall… just fall into the splendour of a waterfall.
Thousands will watch her fall. Many may even take a pic of her. The world will measure and size her up, and may even rate her against many others like her.
But amid all the uncertainty, her true beauty is on display. A spectrum of colours burst out of her as she cascades into her new journey. Fragrant sprays of fresh life adorn all those who stand around her. She is more beautiful now than ever before. She is greeted with gasps of thrill and excitement, for what was meant to break her, became her muse.
Find beauty in your fall. (Psalm 34: 18)