“Can you fathom the mysteries of God?
Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?”
(Job 11:7 NIV)
I was sitting outside in my “floating chair” journalling and pouring out my frustrations to God when suddenly the deep whir of a hummingbird was near my head and then flew off. It startled me out of my self-recriminations. We’d just had special meetings at church about understanding how God speaks to us in dreams, and so I looked up what a hummingbird meant in dreams. What God led me to was this very encouraging article that not only speaks to my (and maybe your) struggles, but speaks to God’s Truth. Today I’ll share the first part of the article.
“In the spring, the hummingbird can often be seen zipping around nectar feeders and flowers across the Americas. In fact, we know there are over 330 species of hummingbirds, which can be found in North, Central and South America. Did you know they are the smallest migrating birds in existence? But you won’t see them traveling in vast numbers like other species, as many of them (like the ruby-throated hummingbird) can usually fly alone for up to 500 miles (805 km) at a time!
Their name describes the humming sound their tiny wings make as they dart from place to place. The amazing thing is that they averagely weigh less than an American nickel. The female hummingbird typically lays two eggs in exceedingly small nests. Interestingly, a flock of hummingbirds can be called a bouquet, a shimmer, a tune, a glittering, or a hover.
We live in a time where everyone is in a hurry to get somewhere, to grow up, to get through prayer time, and move on to other things. Plus, our pressure-cooker society doesn’t make it any easier for us. We all have extensive lists of things to do, so we rush around in circles trying to complete them. Let’s take a moment to see what we can learn from our friends the hummingbirds. Have you had the time to study them? The truth is that we can learn a great deal from this fascinating bird, including some spiritual revelations.
1. I sense the Lord saying: “Don’t let your limitations stop you! I have plans for you and I am not limited by your limitations!” (See Phil. 4:13, Ex. 4:11, Jer. 29:11.)
Other birds might see its small stature as a limitation but not a hummingbird. Despite their small size, hummingbirds are able to hover in the sky, flying back and forth, sideways, and even upside down when necessary. In fact, they’re the only birds that can fly backward! Make no mistake about it: their small size doesn’t stop them from diving up to 60 mph (96 km) or flying up to 30 mph (48 km).
I hear the Lord reminding us: “I have created you special and unique—a one-of-a-kind. Though others may see your small stature and write you off, focusing on your weaknesses and perceived limitations, I the Lord am not limited by your limitations. When others see a shepherd boy, I see a king; when others see a little girl, I see a queen! The truth is that I am with you to do mighty exploits that confound the wise in these end times. You can do all things through My strength in you. Only depend on Me, and My grace will be sufficient for you. You are not limited!” – Steve Porter
God,
Thank you for your Word that startles us out of our struggles, speaks to us in our storms, and reminds us that your perspective is much bigger than our own. Thank you for the beautiful example of the lovely hummingbird that you’ve created so tiny but so strong. Thank you for creating each of us as unique, and for the reality that you are never limited by what we see as limitations or weaknesses. Help us to remember that you ar with us to do mighty exploits that confound the earthly “wise” because your Spirit gives us your Wisdom and Discernment. Help us to remember that we are more than conquerers and we can do all things in YOUR strength. Help us depend on you because your grace is sufficient for us. You are not limited and, when we are in Christ, our potential is unlimited. Pour into us more of your love, grace, and Holy Spirit so that we can do extraordinary things, we ask in Jesus’s name. AMEN.
He determines the number of the stars
and calls them each by name.
Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
his understanding has no limit. (Psalm 147:4-5 NIV)
But God has selected [for His purpose] the foolish things of the world to shame the wise [revealing their ignorance], and God has selected [for His purpose] the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong [revealing their frailty]. (1 Corinthians 1:27 AMP)