Eagles And Isaiah
Eagle And Isaiah
There are times that we wonder how we can accomplish it all. How often do we look at what we have to do and go “deer-in-the-headlights” overwhelmed?
It’s time to stop, slow down, take a deep breath and see what God has to say on the subject.
Isaiah tells us:
“Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall feebly stumble and fall exhausted; But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.”
Isaiah 40:30-31 AMP
There is some reassurance that Isaiah acknowledges that even young men will get tired and become weak and strong young men will trip and fall. Don’t we all feel like we must be the only one who gets exhausted doing life?
We are not alone in this challenge of balancing time with God, family, work, community, and church.
In our schedule there is the quiet personal time that is needed and usually the first item to get sacrificed on the altar of activities; God seems to be the second. Yet these are the two most critical components of our schedule that will bring balance and priority to the rest of our day.
Isaiah doesn’t leave us with that fact that even the strong stumble, fall and become exhausted. He goes directly into how to avoid this pitfall. He gives us the first step in verse 31: “But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power…” the Amplified Version. The Living translation is: “trust in the Lord.” In the New International Version, the words are “hope in the Lord.”
Isaiah says to wait, not just sit, but to actively expect, look for, trust and hope. The different translations give us a vivid perspective of our quiet time with God. The difference in our day is significant when we choose to pursue God first thing in the morning. We are able to unload anything that is weighing us down.
Picture unpacking a backpack as you sit to take some time with your heavenly Father. Jesus says in Matthew, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” When we don’t take time with God we keep filling the backpack we carry around all day, adding, adding, adding as the day goes on. Then we dabble in the backpack and worry a little, stress a little, often a lot, imagining more than what’s actually there. The backpack is getting heavier.
We then go about our day that is often busier than we realize. Running for family activities, church activities, work; the home we live in and the food we eat, all needing time, care and attention. There is still this backpack that we carry throughout the day. By the time we go to bed, we’re exhausted. Some people are sleeping when their head hits the pillow, others can’t prevent their mind from thinking.
It’s time to stop and wait upon the Lord, sit with Him and unpack that backpack! Trusting Him with each item we unpack knowing that He loves us. He wants to partner with us each day to accomplish all that He has called us to do, with everything we need to do it. Looking to God for our schedule that day can bring perspective and peace.
When we stop and take the time with the Lord, Isaiah says that we will change. In our changing we will renew our strength, Isaiah adds “and power.” As we spend time with God we change because we learn of Him, who He is, what He does and how He does it. As a result, we change what we focus on, how we spend our time and energy. Perhaps the power Isaiah is speaking about is that we choose to take power over our thoughts and actions when we spend time with God.
Isaiah goes on to say in the Amplified version, “they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun].”
Let’s look at eagles. The eagle watches for and uses the winds that come, even those that are extremely strong, and updrafts that come off hills and mountains. These winds help them ascent to higher altitudes, soaring instead of powering through the winds. They are able to go long distances without needing to use their own strength but the strength of the winds and updrafts around them.
Now let’s look at our part in Isaiah’s verses. As we stop and spend time with God we gain insight, wisdom, and knowledge. We are able to soar on the winds of God’s grace as we go the distances in our lives; raising our kids, building a solid marriage, being strong in our singleness, and a positive light in every circumstance in which we find ourselves. We have the Holy Spirit living within us empowering us to soar on the winds in our lives instead of powering through those winds.
We can be at peace in all we do. This happens the more we look for God’s grace, mercy and wisdom to carry us above the things that want to push us around or take our time and attention.
Are you willing to spend time with God today, unpacking the backpack you carry around each day? Are you willing to view your circumstances from God’s perspective and look for the winds in your life you can use to lift you up so you can soar and be energized by your world? Can you be the eagle to those around you so they can see how to run and not be weary?
