Stage One: The Eagle Venture
Isaiah 40:3
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.
Begin at the beginning-that is what I am trying to tell myself. How my human self wants the grand finale without the preparation and labor of love which is the process and journey in this world. Just give me the trophy-the fame and the glory. Notice the focus is on "me". I am so glad Jesus' focus was on the Father and His love for us and not on himself. If it was self, He would not have gone to the cross.
When a baby bird is born it is sheltered and cared for in its nest. So are we. There comes a time when we either decide to leave that shelter or we eventually are made so uncomfortable that we must leave. Some may say we are coxed out of that comfy environment into the big unknown world. Remember we do live in this world but belong to the next for as believers, heaven is our home.
The eagle is a great bird. I marvel on its strength and abilities. It has an instinct to know when it is time to hibernate-to regenerate and cast off its outer coat so it can remain the eagle he is. So the eagle finds a cliff in the mountain and his labor of love begins by stripping himself of all his adorning beautiful feathers. He goes through this painful process so that he may become more elegant, more beautiful.
We too are like that eagle. We are to "mount up" in the process by sitting still waiting on the Lord, revealing to him our shortcomings, and allowing the process. As the process goes forward we find ourselves taking off earthly pleasures, removing ungodly traits, and destroying every idol of the world that we hold in our hearts. We do this so that we too may soar with our heavenly Father; so that we may also be a light in the world as Jesus taught us.
Philippians 3:14
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 27:14
Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
Romans 8:25
But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently
Psalm 37:34
Hope in the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it.
It is time for us eagles to soar with the Holy Spirit as our guide. He will make our nest uncomfortable for us. Just as the bird breaks up the nest so that the bird feels the twigs pricking as its body so the Holy Spirit prompts us into being uncomfortable so that we prepare for our next flight. The Holy Spirit allows those ungodly things to prick at us so that we may be led to become that person of purpose He destined us to be.
Hebrews 6:2
Instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
Hebrews 5:12
In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food
Galatians 4:1-2
What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father.
Warning signs of potential growth:
- Are you restless and uncomfortable with yourself, your surroundings, your life style, your habits and lacking in Godly discipline?
- Are your loved ones, people in general, and places you frequent getting you anxious and short tempered or antsy?
Stay tuned for Stage two. Until then ask yourself if you are you ready to take the plunge? May Faith arise and may you be assured that your Heavenly Father will light the way. Begin the process. Your loving Father awaits.
