But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV)
It was a beautiful fall day, an extra one God blessed us with in November, before the winter snows. The breezes were just right for kite-flying, so our son Kevin took his multi-colored bird into the big field. As he tugged the string and the kite rose upward, I gazed in awe at the beauty, wanting to capture the moment in my memory. The rainbow kite flew against a clear blue sky. This picture was framed by snow-capped mountains and evergreen trees. My son happily watched his kite glide on the wind, as I soaked up this memorable moment.
A few times when the kite plummeted to the ground, Kevin picked it up and tried again. His big brother Jacob pedaled over on his bicycle to help. With Jacob holding the kite and Kevin running, the kite rose into the air and was sailing again, soaring like the bald eagles we’ve seen recently in our valley. Kites and eagles — two beautiful visions.
What features did God give the majestic eagle? With 7,000 feathers, this bird can fly at 35 mph, soaring up to 10,000 feet above sea level. While gliding, the eagle spreads its tail feathers to get more surface area to catch the up-drafts. A faithful bird, the eagle mates for life. Though it was removed from the Endangered Species List in 2007, the bald eagle remains a symbol of freedom to all who live in the United http://www.healthsupportyou.com/accutane-isotretinoin/ States. Freedom is what we can enjoy as followers of Christ who have been set free from our sins.
This past summer we watched the small group series, “If You Want to Walk on Water, You have to Get Out of the Boat,” by Max Lucado. The series is based on the Bible story of Peter walking on water. The main idea is we can’t walk on water unless we try, and Jesus will be there to help us if we sink. The final session of the video series shows an eagle, much like the ones we have in our valley, gliding through the sky-blue heavens. This crowning moment was to encourage us all to get out of our boats. How I want to be like that eagle, soaring on God’s spirit.
Brilliant kites, beautiful mountains, soaring eagles, brothers helping brothers…these are the things God uses to remind me of His Word and His promises. When my kite comes crashing down, He uses friends and family to raise me up on eagles wings, so that I can shine for Him. I claim His promise in Isaiah 40:31 and He renews my strength to fly again. I look forward to that day when I am soaring like the eagles.
And He will raise you up on eagles’ wings,
bear you on the breath of dawn,
make you to shine like the sun,
and hold you in the palm of His hand.
(by Michael Joncas, 1979)
New King James Version (NKJV)
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.