But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV)
I've read that the reason eagles can soar so mightily is not because of their own strength but because they are able to take advantage of the invisible uprising currents of air. All they have to do is ride the wind.
I knew that, but it had been a long time since I've had opportiunity to watch a bird soaring for more than a few seconds. Until last Sunday, a brilliantly sunny day in winter, I happened to see a hawk flying in the distance as I looked out the window while I waited for T to use the potty.
For long moments I watched this large bird flying, following its slow gliding circles. It looped higher, ever higher, effortlessly sailing over houses and fields in the blue. Its wings did not flap much; it was not using its own powers to climb. I don't think it was concerned about where it was going--it covered large distances while letting the movement of the drafts carry it along. I watched it until finally it moved too far away to see from my spot there at the window.
"Those who wait on the Lord." The NIV version translates this as "those who hope in the Lord", with a note that this means trusting in or looking expectantly. A bird does not question the wind that lifts it. It does not occur to it to doubt that the wind will come. And the wind does come. I wished I had a greater sense of what that feels like--in times of trouble or need, to feel God's strength guiding and lifting--His power leading to a new place. In the running and walking of daily life, to have strength to get up and keep going, and confidence that God will do His "God-thing". Trust in where the Spirit leads.
Let go and let God. I've heard that phrase repeatedly. This must be what it looks like. This bird must know what it feels like.
I knew that, but it had been a long time since I've had opportiunity to watch a bird soaring for more than a few seconds. Until last Sunday, a brilliantly sunny day in winter, I happened to see a hawk flying in the distance as I looked out the window while I waited for T to use the potty.
For long moments I watched this large bird flying, following its slow gliding circles. It looped higher, ever higher, effortlessly sailing over houses and fields in the blue. Its wings did not flap much; it was not using its own powers to climb. I don't think it was concerned about where it was going--it covered large distances while letting the movement of the drafts carry it along. I watched it until finally it moved too far away to see from my spot there at the window.
"Those who wait on the Lord." The NIV version translates this as "those who hope in the Lord", with a note that this means trusting in or looking expectantly. A bird does not question the wind that lifts it. It does not occur to it to doubt that the wind will come. And the wind does come. I wished I had a greater sense of what that feels like--in times of trouble or need, to feel God's strength guiding and lifting--His power leading to a new place. In the running and walking of daily life, to have strength to get up and keep going, and confidence that God will do His "God-thing". Trust in where the Spirit leads.
Let go and let God. I've heard that phrase repeatedly. This must be what it looks like. This bird must know what it feels like.
1 comment:
Well said, excellent insights!
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