What's with the blog name?
It is an odd phrase. Consider the ravens. Why ravens? There are prettier birds that's for sure.
Well, I'll be honest - this particular phrase taught me something. You probably saw that answer coming.
As I entered my 20s - and I hope I am not alone here - a funny thing happened. The very air around me suddenly possessed a new "state-of-the-art" concern for survival. A survival to make it. To not disappoint. And concern as to how.
At a life stage where independence sinks in on a whole new level, there can live a genuine fear that we will not be able to provide for ourselves. Fiscally. Emotionally. Etc. Naturally, with these aspirations comes the fear that it might not happen. That we might misstep. Or fall short.
Here's where the "ravens" lesson steps in:
Think back to a time when you were outside. Maybe hiking last week or camping as a young bloke.
When I am outdoors - which doesn't happen that often - I am almost always struck by the spell-bounding system that it is. Nature is system that works. Without even trying, it is balancing itself out. The squirrels do there thing. The trees do there thing. And the birds do there thing.
They are naturally provided for.
A very old book that I happen to value a lot puts it like this:
Luke 12: (24) Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable are you than the birds! (25) Who of you by worrying can add a single to your life?
(29) And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. (30) For the pagen world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. (31) But seek his kingdom and these things will be given to you as well."
There is so much wisdom in here, even if the Bible is not something that your heart relates to.
When we fear the "what ifs" we are fearing the things we cannot control. The answers to the "what ifs" will come when they do. Nature takes its course. If the ravens are provided and cared for than you will be too my dear. We are a part of this vast and beautiful system too, even though we feel separate from it most of the time.
My fears and worries can take on huge shadows, but if I "consider the ravens" it somehow takes the pressure off a bit. And in turn encourages me to fear less.
