Do You Have What It Takes?
From Pastor Shemalya King
I never thought that putting bird feeders in our backyard would serve as an illustrated sermon...
A couple of months ago, we invested in three regular bird feeders and four hummingbird feeders. It has been a delight watching all of the birds come into our backyard. The hummingbird is a very beautiful creature: I love the way it sort of hovers in the air while sipping nectar. We've seen many different kinds of birds.
Today (May 26, 2026), I sat on my back porch talking to one of our sons. As I was looking at all the beautiful birds, I said to him, “You know, it's interesting that all of these birds existed the entire time, but only when we put out what it took to draw them in did they show up.” It was at that moment, I knew the Lord was speaking. “Sometimes things don't appear in our lives until we have what it takes to draw them.”
It's very interesting that many things exist all around us: people and things. These people and things would be great blessings to us and bring us great pleasure, but we just don't have what it takes. It is not that it's a sin not to have what it takes; you're just lacking the thing that draws it to you. One day we're gonna plant flowers that draw butterflies: I want my kids to enjoy seeing the different butterflies in this area. But what about things other than animals and insects? How do you draw those things into your life? God is able to put ideas in your heart and mind–simple ideas–that you can implement to draw these things into your life. You just have to be open to it, maybe even pray about it.
One scripture puts it plainly for those desiring friends: “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly” Proverbs 18:24a. The thing you need to have to draw friends is friendliness.
Maybe you need a little mercy in your life. The scripture tells us what draws mercy: “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy” Matthew 5:7.
There is a principle of variation that instructs one how to reap in size: “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully” 2 Corinthians 9:6.
Remember that God created all things for you to richly enjoy. What is something that could be within your reach, but is not drawn to you because you don't have what it takes? You need to “put your seed out.”
Father, who art in heaven, will you impress upon this reader's heart exactly what they need to enjoy more of your creation? May they find that they now have what it takes. May they find themselves in the most beautiful season imaginable. Amen.
