Soaring Eagles

“Those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31 NLT)

A friend and I were running near a lake when we noticed three bald eagles on a tree. I had never been that close to eagles in the wild. These magnificent birds were perched on a tree right over our heads. Every so often, they would soar over the lake looking for fish. Unlike other birds, eagles do not fly in large flocks. They don’t fly hither and thither, but stay close to the source of water.

My friend and I later discussed how we could identify with those eagles in some ways. We do not enjoy being part of large groups. We prefer to hang around with one or two other people or be alone. There are also some characteristics of eagles that we would like to emulate:
--To know Who our Source is, and stay close to HIM
--To develop perceptive vision
--To use changes in air currents to soar higher
--To keep moving without growing weary
--To be strong and bold

Lord, may we find new strength as we grow to trust in You. Teach us to soar high on wings like eagles. Help us to run without growing weary.

Soul Cramp

“I will punish the men who are stagnant in spirit...” (Zephaniah 1:12 NASB)

Big cities can be congested with traffic jams, overcrowded sidewalks, cramped restaurants, and confined living spaces. When I visit these places, my spirit feels constricted. It reminds me of a muscle cramp--an involuntary contraction, a tenseness that persists. Living in places like this must require a certain amount of apathy. Permanent residents seem complacent about the disparity of resources, the homeless, the dirt, the noise,  and the pollution. 

Cows can be grazed in pastures or packed into dirty feedlots. Congested places have some things in common: there is no flow; neither people nor air can move freely. Conformity and stagnancy become the norm. Why would anyone voluntarily submit to this form of punishment? I wonder if, like cattle, we are unaware of the difference? 

Having lived in both crowded cities and wide open spaces, I now know the difference. These days, I can sense a cramp in my soul as soon as I approach a human corral. I won’t stay long, if I have a choice. My spirit is accustomed to flowing freely. I follow my cravings for nature, for quiet, for clean air. I seek out peaceful streams of living water.  I  drink deeply. 

“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.” (Henry David Thoreau)

Rebuilt Marriages

“Afflicted city, storm-battered, unpitied: I'm about to rebuild you with stones of turquoise, Lay your foundations with sapphires, construct your towers with rubies, Your gates with jewels, and all your walls with precious stones. All your children will have God for their teacher - what a mentor for your children!” (Isaiah 54:11-14 MSG)

My husband and I have been married for twenty-seven years. Like most couples who have been together for a while, we have faced some storms. Looking back over the years, it still amazes me that we have come this far. I know this is not due to our own merit, but by the grace of God. 

I don’t have any ‘pro-tips’ for younger married couples. However, I would like to share a few insights. When a crisis hits, it is natural to feel a sense of panic, despair, and disillusionment. We feel the anguish of broken dreams. We see the pain in our children’s eyes. Whether it is deserved or not, we tend to project blame on our spouses for our emotions. As we survey the damage, it’s hard to imagine that life can ever be good again. Calling it quits seems like the sensible thing to do. This is because we haven’t factored God into the equation. We look at the debris of broken concrete, metal, glass, and bricks. Is restoration even possible? God promised to reconstruct us with precious jewels and stones, not with salvaged rubble. He assured us that he would guide our children and defend our honor.  All that is required from us is a commitment. We must humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, wait patiently, and live congruent to His will. Then, in His time, we will be restored gloriously, beyond anything we imagine. 

Sacramental Living

“A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand and the table with its consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place.” (Hebrews 9:2 NIV)

I have been trying to be more mindful in everything I do, inviting God into every task and decision. I have learned to talk to God as I go about my chores. Certain jobs are more conducive to contemplation than others. For example, it’s much easier to pray while baking bread than while doing taxes.

These days, I look for activities that enable my mind to focus on God with minimal distractions. If I am doing a silent activity such as cooking, I remember how Jesus blessed the bread and gave it to His disciples. Food is an integral part of communion, whether it happens in a church or in your home. If I am cleaning, I pray for cleansing, healing, and restoration for myself and others. If I am driving, I use that time to hand over control of the things I try to manage on my own. When I am having a conversation, I ask God to help me understand and speak truth. 

When my mind wanders, (which happens frequently), I pull it back. I use worship music, scripture verses, or audio sermons to keep my thoughts focused on the Lord. Visualization, talking or singing out loud, rhythmic movement, art, writing, crocheting, rosary beads, all aid me to stay attentive. Everything can be holy when it is consecrated to the Lord. God is present. It is up to us to acknowledge Him, to honor Him, and to live sacramentally. Wisdom, forgiveness, empathy, healing, and love flow freely when we collaborate with the Lord.

Intangible Confirmation

“Faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things (we) hope for, being the proof of things (we) do not see and the conviction of their reality (faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses).” (Hebrews 11:1 AMP)

These days, e-tickets are the norm for flights. After I purchase a ticket, I arrive at the airport with nothing more than a barcode on my smartphone expecting to get on my assigned flight. At first, I was nervous about not having a tangible paper ticket, boarding pass, or printout to confirm flight numbers, times, seats, etc. However, after several years without incident, I have learned I can count on this system. 

Faith is the assurance that our God is dependable. It is the confirmation that what we hope for is already in process, even though we can’t sense it. It enables us to feel secure while we wait. We don’t know the timing, nor are we certain that everything will work out exactly according to our desires. Yet, the more we experience God, the more we realize that He is trustworthy. Faith allows us to put our confidence in God, even before we have any tangible evidence to support our convictions. 

Clean Slate

“So get rid of your old self, which made you live as you used to - the old self that was being destroyed by its deceitful desires. Your hearts and minds must be made completely new, and you must put on the new self, which is created in God's likeness and reveals itself in the true life that is upright and holy.” (Ephesians 4:22-23 GNT)

I’ve had the same whiteboard hanging in my kitchen for over a decade. This is where I write down daily to-do lists, seasonal chores, and reminders. For the last few years, I have not been able to get old markings wiped off. I tried many different cleaners, but the board remained stained by years of use. Then I found a cleaning tip online: use toothpaste on a paper towel to clean old marker stains. My whiteboard is now as good as new.

This reminds me of something my friend, Jen, said: Prayer is erasing our agenda and desires, so that we can wait for God to write out His plans for our lives.

My prayers are more like my unclean whiteboard--full of previous markings, personal agendas, and unanswered requests. It retains the stains of my sinful self. Jen’s insight on prayer has inspired me. I am trying to erase my expectations completely and wait for God’s directions. I want my life to be a clean slate.

Lord, help me to erase the sinful desires and deceptive thoughts from my mind. Renew Your Spirit within me. May everything I say and do reveal Your righteousness, truth, and holiness.

Different Chargers

“God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.” (1 Corinthians 12:6 NLT)

My old phone used a standard charging tip that was common to many devices. With multiple chargers available everywhere--next to my chair, next to my bed, next to the kitchen, in my car--it was easy to recharge my phone. My new phone has a different type of charger. I can no longer use the old cables. This has been frustrating. The source of electricity has always been the same. Why can’t manufacturers just make phones with the same kind of ports and chargers?

Every few years, I find myself in a similar quandary with the Lord. God remains the source of everything, but the way I connect with Him changes with each new phase of life. At different times--church and other forms of corporate worship, volunteer service, small groups, books, audio sermons, songs, private prayer, contemplation, Bible study, being in nature, talking to other followers of Christ, writing, etc. have all been ways that enable me to feel connected to God. However, as I age, I change. Thus, every few years, I have learned to try new things and adapt to new ways of recharging my relationship with God.  

“If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” (Jeremiah 29:13 NLT)