A Bird Observed

I was driving around the other day just taking in the beautiful weather. The sun was shining, there was a cool breeze, and overall it was a nice day. I happened to look up in the sky and notice one single bird hovering in the sky. I'll admit it wasn't the safest of driving maneuvers to be staring up in the sky while driving down the road, but this single bird somehow fascinated me. This bird gracefully stayed adrift in the afternoon sun, defining gravity against the brightly lit yet scarcely clouded backdrop to let me know of its powerful yet quite presence. Given all that this bird could communicate to me in less than 10 seconds, the single thought that this bird had plagued me was something I just couldn't get over. Over and over again in my mind the question rang: Why do birds exist?

I mean, what possible purpose could they serve? Do we truly and honestly need them around? Take the bald eagle for example. It's a stunning bird, one that commands respect even in photos. But if bald eagles went extinct tomorrow, what would happen? There may be a couple more fish in the rivers? A few less nests in the trees? Do we really need birds for anything? Worm population control? That seed that couldn't get somewhere on its own? The existence of birds, and even this one single bird, baffled me to no end.

This single question led to more questions. Why do fish exist? They're even less off than birds in my opinion. Bird food? Or to put this question another way: Why does the oceans have stuff in it? Why the endless coral reefs, the mighty depths of underwater caverns, the species of animals never found in a vast sea of blue? 

These are stupid questions, I'll admit. But ultimately they all led to the one question that comes up when asking these kinds of questions: Why do I exist?


I find comfort in knowing that there is a reason for my existence. If something doesn't have a purpose, then I don't see a reason to have it around. But God has a reason for you and for me. We're designed with a relationship in mind, created in His image. Paul puts it simply and beautifully: "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Phil 1:21). The end-goal of our lives is Christ. He is our purpose.

I love the psalmist Asaph's cry "Whom have I heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you" (Psalm 73:25). I really have nothing else on this planet that could compare to the awesomeness of God. Sure, I'm thankful for my wife, my son, my friends, my family, my house, my job. But Christ is better. Where they fail, Christ succeeds. Where I fail... Christ succeeds.

But what about birds? God revealed it. They're there to show me how awesome He is, how He's not only in control of the universe but my life too. Jesus in the midst of showing us how our lives should look everyday and how we shouldn't worry. "Is not life more important than food?" Jesus asks the crowds. "And the body more important than clothes?" Can you imagine being there, with all the people, and then these birds just fly overhead? "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than birds?" (Matt 6:25-26, my emphasis).

Why do birds exist? Because God wants you to know your purpose and His love. Remember that the next time you're gazing up in the sky, driving or otherwise.