What do you see when you take a moment to be still, breathe deep, and have a long look outside?

Leaves are changing color and falling soft to the ground. The wind makes the blades of grass dance and the crisp leaves sweep across the yard. A swirling storm of helicopter seeds fall from the maple tree. 

A blotch of white scurries across the grassy backdrop. From my limited research it might be the Cabbage White Butterfly, “a charming, yet ubiquitous pest.” 

I agree with the author that they’re charming, and ubitiquous (present, found everywhere), but to me they’re not a pest. They’re a wonder. 

Despite its name, this butterfly certainly doesn’t fly smooth like butter. They’re kind of all over the place. They look crazy. Indecisive. Immature even. In a hurry to nowhere. 

I see the external and I’m quick to judge. But these butterflies keep appearing and they make me stop. To watch. To wonder.  I’m taken by their simple beauty. They know what they’re doing and where they’re headed. (Even if I don’t.) And they were created by our Father in Heaven. 

I can’t help but fix my eyes on the Master.

Another color flashes, this time across the bright blue sky. A dark bird of some sort. My four year old is convinced that all birds of this size are bald eagles. In this neck of the woods turkey vultures are more common. 

Either way, when you look close and watch them soar overhead, you can’t help but notice – they’re a bit shaky when they soar. It’s not as beautiful or graceful as you’d expect.

But they’re trusting – trusting the One who gave them powerful wings and called them to soar, to carry them between flaps. Flapping their wings takes work, and it’s then that I realize these birds spend more time soaring (trusting), than they do flapping (working). They’re not in a hurry; they might even appear a little lazy. 

These two winged creatures, this crazy butterfly and this lazy bird…

They both look frail. But they’re both strong. 

They both look like they’re wasting time, wandering aimlessly or flying in circles. But they’re both doing what they were created to do. 

I’ve spent the past week wondering as I catch glimpses of these two creatures in the sky and I’ve come to this conclusion: I am strong when I’m doing what I was created to do. (Even if it looks like I’m frail and wasting time.)

“I love you, God — You make me strong.” – Psalm 18:1 (The Message)

“She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.” – Proverbs 31:17 (NIV)

These verses are anthems in my heart, especially in my daily routines at home. Running on the treadmill – “I love you God, You make me strong.” Carrying endless loads of laundry up the stairs – “my arms are strong for my tasks.”

I am strong – He makes me strong; but I also get stronger as I use my muscles, as I do the things I was made to do. 

“She equips herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong.” ‭‭- Proverbs‬ ‭31:17‬ (Amplified)

I love this! I can equip myself with His strength spiritually, mentally, and physically for my God-given tasks, and I am made strong!

And when I’m feeling tired and weary and needy, I can fix my eyes on Him. My hope is there, with Him. My strength is there, in Him. 

“On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul.” – Psalm 138:3 (NASB)

We can cry out to Him, and He responds by making us courageous again, by strengthening our souls with Himself. 

“The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You.” – Isaiah 26:3 (NASB)

I used to think of steadfast as standing firm, on my own, in my own strength. The word in the Hebrew actually means “to lean or lay upon; to uphold, to sustain, aid; propped, upheld, i.e. unmoved, firm.”

So it’s the leaning into Him, leaning upon Him, that makes me steadfast. His strength makes me strong. His support upholds me and makes me stand firm. He is the One who keeps me in His perfect peace. I can be secure in the God who holds me in His hand. How could I not trust in Him who has been so faithful?

I pray that you spend the week ahead leaning into the Lord. Relying on Him for His strength and peace. Trusting that it’s in our weakness that His power is made perfect. Believing you are so loved.

❤️

This Week’s Song Suggestions:

• “Take a Moment (Live)” by United Pursuit 
• “I Am No Victim” by Kristene DiMarco
• “Pieces” by Amanda Cook