Lessons from a Robin

One spring night I woke up very early—4:00 a.m. to be exact—to booming thunder, flashes of lightning, and a downpour of rain. It was completely dark outside in the raging storm, but I heard something strange: the sound of a bird, a robin, singing. “How can that crazy robin be singing at four in the morning in the middle of a thunderstorm?” I wondered, wide awake in the dark. “Is the robin not worried or scared? Why does it want to sing when the winds and rain could destroy its nest and endanger its babies?” But then I realized, we as Christians should be like that robin. Even in the storms of life where we’re at our lowest point, God is there, and He promises to protect us and meet all of our needs. He has a plan for us through the storm, and He loves us. No matter what the day brings, and even though we might not have what we want in the morning, there is something far more important we can be thankful for: we have eternal hope and a joy that no storm can destroy. When we were far away from God, Jesus came to be God with us. After Jesus died, rose again, and ascended into heaven, He sent His Holy Spirit to be with everyone who trusts in Him and one day Jesus will return, and we will be with Him forever. Now that’s good news worth singing about! • Abby Ciona • Do you find it difficult to rejoice at all times? Why or why not? • How can you share the hope and joy you have in Jesus with others? Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4 (CSB)