Last summer I went to Atlanta with some of my friends for a Christian conference. At one point on the way there, we experienced a little turbulence. The funny thing about turbulence is, while you never expect it (on that plane your voluntarily got on)…we know that it’s always an in-flight possibility. The definition of turbulent, is something causing unrest, violence, or disturbance. It’s characterized by agitation or tumult.
People often talk about God being the pilot, and them being the co-pilot…but quite frankly we don’t even belong in the cockpit. When you see everything coming at you, and everything there is to deal with…you can start to panic. We need to calm down, quit tripping, and trust God to take us safely to our destination. If it get’s rocky in the meantime, just sit down and buckle up.
Isaiah 43:4-7 says: Because you are precious in My sight, You are honored and I love you, I will give other men in return for you and other peoples in exchange for your life. 5 “Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east [where they are scattered], And gather you from the west. 6 “I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ And to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring My sons from far way And My daughters from the ends of the earth, 7 Everyone who is called by My Name, Whom I have created for My glory, Whom I have formed, even whom I have made.”
Have you ever seen somebody try to open the emergency door in the middle of a flight? No. And do you know why? That’d be incredibly dangerous and crazy. In that same way, when God is flying the plane we have to buckle up and not try to get off before He gets us to our arrival destination.
That’s how we miss so many things, because right when it gets hard, or it feels like it’s taking too long, or we feel like we’re barely hanging on….we’re ready to let go. Don’t you know that God says in His word that we’re more than conquerors?
Don’t be scared if you don’t recognize the route God is taking you, or if it’s different from previous things He’s brought you through.
You’ve never experienced THIS kind of victory before.
Get ready! God hasn’t forgotten you, or lost track. He’s already been on the move!
Isaiah 40:27-31 says: Why, O Jacob, do you say, and declare, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, And the justice due me escapes the notice of my God”? 28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become tired or grow weary; There is no searching of His understanding. 29 He gives strength to the weary, And to him who has no might He increases power. 30 Even youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, 31 But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] Will gain new strength and renew their power; They will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun]; They will run and not become weary, They will walk and not grow tired.
I often wondered what made the eagle so special, that it is used for this illustration. Well, here’s a few facts:
Eagles are built differently from other birds of prey.
They have a more powerful build, heavier head and beak, and they are larger. I can relate to that, You see, I discovered at an early age that I would never fit or blend in no matter how much I tried.
Eagles fly alone for the most part.
Sometimes, God seems to be separating us from the others…so He can work on us and in us. It can feel lonely, but because He promised to never leave us or forsake us…we’re never truly alone.
No other bird can reach the height, and they don’t mix or socialize with other kinds of birds.
I think that’s why they don’t mix or socialize with like chickens, or pigeons. They’re not built for the same stuff, they don’t have the same destination. Lowkey, that’s why we can’t mix with everybody. We ain’t all built for the same stuff, called to the same thing. Everybody ain’t happy for you, some people are preying on you instead of praying for you…but y’all don’t hear me. Learn to protect the anointing on your life.
Eagles have a keen eyesight, so they can spot prey from a distance. Once they see their target, they focus and go after it.
This too reminds me of myself. Sometimes my goals feel so big and far away, but I know that if God let me see it (and know that it’s possible for my life), He’s gonna let me get it. So my vision is locked, and I won’t stop till I get it.
Eagles are powerful fliers, and soar on thermal columns (an atmospheric phenomenons that occur when air rises due to heat… we see these in storms). It uses the wind to help it soar, and it’s the only bird that loves storms because it uses them to push them higher.
You see, this goes back to not mixing with everybody. The thing that God uses to push you higher, make you stronger, those storms, those trials could very well break or kill somebody else. Don’t be discouraged, soar! Let God use that storm to push you higher!
Eagles don’t eat dead things, they prefer fresh meat.
I don’t know who told you that you could only have the leftovers of somebody else’s dream or life, but the devil is a liar. Behold, God is doing a new thing in your life (Isaiah 43:18-19!)
Eagles are 3ft Tall, 15 lbs, and have an 8 ft wing span…but they can only lift about 3-4 pounds. They’re not built to be heavy lifters.
Stop trying to carry, what God wants you to release. Cast your burdens unto Jesus, for He cares for you.
I don’t know about you, but this morning I’m ready to come up a little higher, get a little closer, and soar into what God has for me.
I hope you’re ready too.
Amen.
*I write & read these devotionals every other Sunday morning live on WBRU 95.5, during their morning Gospel show. Be sure to tune in!
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