Last month I noticed a bird trying to build a nest in a corner under the eaves of my home. He’d find some twigs, fly up to the eave and delicately try to wedge the tiny branches between the wood and a supporting wire underneath. And each time he failed. Flight after flight. Twig after twig. Day after after. Each day when I walked outside I noticed his failure as I stepped over a smattering of small branches and brush on the concrete.

I prayed, God, help this little bird to build the nest he needs.

And then finally, a few days later as I looked out the window I saw that the bird had built a robust nest under the eave. Shortly after that I noticed another bird—presumably the momma bird–sitting in the nest as the daddy bird sat on a wire nearby, diligently fending off other birds who flew a little too close to the nest. Not long after three babies were born and I have had the joy of watching them grow up over the last few weeks. They have gone from tiny tweets, to open mouths waiting for food to be dropped in, to larger birds sitting on the edge of the nest, practicing flapping their wings…and still crying like babies when it’s feeding time.

And that nest has amazingly weathered major winds and rain storms.

Let God Be the Builder
Watching the bird originally try to build the nest made me think of Psalm 127:1,“Unless the Lord builds a house,
the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.” (NLT) God is our provider in all things. Even our very breath comes from God. He always wants to partner with us in the work He is doing by giving us specific tasks to do. That way it’s our story, too…not just His.

But unless God is the foundation and the builder of what we are creating, we’re laboring in vain. It’s so easy to think that we know better than God and to take any idea—especially one that promotes ourselves—and run with it. But God may have something else in mind for you. A different road. A different timing. And at the least, a desire for you to be surrendered to Him in all of it, moving with His rhythm rather than your own. Why? Because God is wisdom. And going in the way of wisdom is always the best road to take.

When we build something ourselves it will eventually fall apart. When God is behind it, it will survive and thrive!

So….
+What have you been trying desperately to build on your own that is falling apart because you’re trying to do it your own way or it isn’t led by God?

+Are you willing to surrender every part of yourself and your life to God and ask Him to be the builder?

Prayer
God, thank you for caring about every small and large detail of my life. You are good and nothing can separate me from Your immeasurable love. I fully surrender myself and my dreams to You. I want You to be the originator and builder of everything I do. Help me to follow Your lead, rather than my own selfish ways. In Jesus’ Name.