Isaiah 40:31 but those who hope in (wait upon) 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.
The example of the eagle in this scripture is a great simile with the capacity of teaching awesome life lessons. Eagles are fascinating creatures! They are powerful and majestic birds; especially when comparing them to other birds. There have been many books written about eagles and their unique characteristics, but for the purpose of this blog, I will only touch on a few as I attach them to spiritual undertones.
For starters, eagles do not fly in flocks (religion, peers); they fly alone except for their mate (please don’t misconstrue this…I’m not saying we don’t need church or one another). Don’t be sad for the lone eagle, though, because they soar higher than any other bird (closer to God). Note the word ‘soar’… They do not waste as much energy flapping their wings (works of the flesh) as they allow the wind (the Holy Spirit) to move them. They are not afraid of a storm because they are strong and smart enough to soar above it. Their eyes (spiritual vision) are bigger than their heads, which enables them to see twice as far as people see (sometimes we need to get out of our heads and focus more on the vision God has given you).
He shielded him and cared for him; he guarded him as the apple of his eye, like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them aloft. (Deut 32:10-11)
More than anything, God has used their parenting habits to reveal His love for me as His child. Eagles take excellent care of their eaglets, watching them very carefully. They feed them four to eight times a day, until it’s time to leave the nest (their comfort zone). During this fledgling phase, mom and dad stop bringing food to the nest (those dry seasons in Christ). No matter how loud or how much the eaglet cries for food (Where are you, Lord? Why have you forsaken me? Why can’t I hear you the way I used to? What happened to the goose bumps?), they still don’t bring any (Doesn’t it sometimes seem like God is silent when you feel like you need Him most?). The eaglet grows thinner eating the occasional beetle (during these times, continue reading your word, praying, fasting, etc…). As he gets lighter and lighter he becomes airborne for a moment or two (fasting is part of the training process in Christ that enables us to reach new spiritual heights). Often a parent will fly by just out of reach carrying delectable meals (What might God be dangling in front of you to get you to fly? Sometimes He will put someone in front of you who seems to have it all or maybe He will give you a sample of the promise that awaits you…a little hope here and there to develop our faith). After quite a few days of this (for us, sometimes years), the eaglet finally leaves the nest soaring high (renews his strength). PRAISE GOD!!! Spread your wings out and let the Holy Spirit take you to places you never knew before.
Have you been waiting on the Lord for something? Have there been moments of discouragement? Have there been times you felt God abandoned you in what you deem your darkest hour? If so, perhaps your Heavenly Father is simply teaching you to soar. Please be encouraged by the example of the eagle as you continue to wait on God and the awesome blessings He has in store for you. He loves you! He is faithful! He is a good Father!