The Flight of the Eagle
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:28-31 (NIV)
We often drive around looking for the mated bald eagles that live somewhere nearby in Arnot. They are magnificent creatures, majestic and strong. As a child, I used to dream of riding on the backs of birds to see what they see but an eagle was never part of my imagination because they were not around. Ashley Clark (All God’s Creatures) like me, desires a bird’s-eye view.
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As I was walking my dog this evening, I noticed a very large bird not too far overhead. In what seemed like seconds, that same bird was soaring high above me, practically a dot against the landscape. The bird’s flight reminded me of God’s promise—that those who trust in the Lord will soar on wings like eagles.
What a thought—to hold on to the wing of an eagle. To soar so far above our own horizon that our feet come up off familiar ground. And to gain a different vantage point entirely. When I join my spiritual wins to the Lord’s, He freely allows me the opportunity to do all these things. Not only do I rise above challenging circumstances, but I also view them differently. How often I forget that God’s kingdom, His way of viewing and acting in the world, is not bound by the same rules and challenges that bind me.
The carefree flight of that large bird challenged me, encouraging me to consider the Lord’s invitation to mount on His wings. I know I can get a different view—a bird’s-eye view—of my struggles today if I only allow my faith to carry me to His waiting wings.
Father, I choose to set my eyes on You today. You are my hope. When heavy circumstances weight me to the ground or things seem out of control, I am tempted to despair. Give me Your perspective and Your wings to rise above instead. AMEN.
Photo: Michael Johnston