Jesus uses this phrase to encourage his disciples to embrace their encounters with God as they journey through life. He reminds them, as we too need to be reminded occasionally, that they are precious to God.
It is very easy to recognise God in creation, and to believe that he loves and cares for all his creatures. But it is sometimes very difficult to believe that we, too, are part of that creation. If God is concerned so much about sparrows which are two a penny, how much more is he concerned about us? Even the hairs on our head are counted – so much are we precious to God.
But it doesn’t always feel like it, does it?
What would it take for us to feel loved by God?
What would it take for us to all demonstrate that love to others?
To be honest, probably all that is required is an openness to talk with one another about how God is at work in our town, in our community, in our Church, in our lives. The more we can embrace each encounter with God, the more we will grow as his disciples and be reassured of his love for us.
Fresco in Bethlehem Bible College
Fran Jeffries
DDA and Team Vicar in the Bolingbroke Deanery
Year of Discipleship 2015 