The Lily of the Field and the Bird of the Air: Three Godly Discourses

by Søren Kierkegaard

Thus, that you came into existence, that you exist, that “today” you receive the necessities of existence, that you came into existence, that you became a human being, that you can see—consider this: that you can see, that you can hear, that you have a sense of smell, that you have a sense of taste, that you can feel; that the sun shines for you and for your sake, that when it becomes weary, the moon begins to shine and the stars are lit; that it becomes winter, that all of nature disguises itself, pretends to be a stranger—and does so in order to delight you; that spring comes, that birds come in large flocks—and do so in order to bring you joy; that green plants spring forth, that the forest grows into beauty, has its nuptials—and does so in order to bring you joy; that autumn comes, that the birds fly away, not to make themselves precious and hard to get, oh, no, but so that you will not become bored with them; that the forest puts away its finery for the sake of the next time, that is, so it can give you joy the next time: Is this supposed to be nothing to rejoice over! Oh, if I dared to scold—but out of respect for the lily and the bird, I dare not—and therefore, instead of saying that there is nothing to rejoice over, I will say: If this is nothing to rejoice over, then there is nothing over which to rejoice.