The other day, a family of birds were chirping and flying around outside the house. I didn’t pay much attention until I heard a thumping at the kitchen window.  A tiny Carolina Wren was hanging on to the window frame.  Every few seconds, it would readjust and try to tighten its grip against the screen. I realized that flying lessons were going on outside, but this little bird was hesitant to join its siblings.  It just hung on and thumped against the window, much to the excitement of my indoor cat. 

Have you ever felt like that? Like holding on to something was safer than letting go?  The unknown can be scary.  When fear overwhelms us, we are often tempted to cling to what is familiar.  Yet, that is not always the most faithful response.  Sometimes God calls us to step out in faith.  One of my favorite verses of Scripture comes from Joshua 1:9, “Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  I treasure that promise, that no matter what the future holds and no matter where I find myself, God promises to be there.  

The group of people Joshua would lead was a group who had been clinging to their past.  In fact, as they wondered through the wilderness (after God had freed them from slavery and led them out of Egypt), they frequently worried and tried to cling to what was familiar. “Let’s go back to Egypt! At least when we were there, we knew what to expect.  At least in Egypt we knew where our next meal was coming from.”  To this fearful group, God offers reassuring words.  I’m doing something new now. But don’t be afraid; I will be with you. 

Being courageous does not mean we have no fear.  It means leaning on our faith and moving forward in spite of our fear.  Some of our heroes in the faith, like Joshua and Moses, were able to move forward not because they knew what the future held, but because they trusted the One who held the future.  They knew that God would be with them.

Eventually the baby wren at the window found its courage.  It let go, flapped its wings, and flew high into a nearby oak tree. Then, after a short rest, it tried its wings again and off it went.  Can you imagine the beautiful view that little bird must have had once it was flying above the trees?  

Prayer: Dear God, sometimes we hold tightly to what we know and to what feels safe, just like a bird learning to fly.  What we do not know can feel scary.  We pray that you would fill our hearts with peace, and grant us faith to trust you completely.  May we have the courage to let go when that is the most faithful response. In the name of the one who goes before us, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.