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Soaring Like an Eagle

7/9/2019

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Isaiah 40:31 - But those who hope in 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.


Eagles are majestic creatures, aren't they?  They are mentioned 38 times in the Bible.  There are many things that distinguish the eagle from other birds. Here are just a few points:  
Eagles do not fly like other birds; they don't flap their wings but rather soar. Instead they sit on a high ledge and wait for the right wind currents to come. When the time is right, they take off and soar upward effortlessly, because they have waited for the right time. In like manner, eagles train their young to fly. When they are ready, the parent eagle will nudge the eaglet out of the nest. As it falls, eventually its parent will catch it on its strong wings. Over and over again this happens, until the eaglet learns how to fly.  We've heard this dozens of times, but it's good to remember this.  Throughout life, we encounter hardships and challenges that can make us forget we're spiritual eagles.

We are created to soar to spiritual heights.  However if we are to soar, we must trust that the spiritual nudging out of the nest that we receive is for our benefit.  God will catch us and teach us -- even if we feel like we are in a free fall. So we must learn patience and trust. We may feel like God is abandoning us or hurting us. The truth is God is encouraging us to grow, and be who God has created us to be.  We must discern the right wind that can carry us where we need to go. This takes time and trial and error. We must resist the easy way.  This is the eagle's way.  It is our way, if we are to follow Jesus' teaching.
Where is God nudging you out of your nest?
Where is God teaching you patience and trust?

PRAY:  " Lord, help me to trust you as a eaglet depends on its parent.  Teach us to soar to the heights of love and service."

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Freedom to Love and Serve

7/2/2019

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“For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13 


Listen to:   Sweet Honey in the Rock  “I Woke Up This Morning with my Mind Stayed on Freedom”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLGXzGar7wY


What does freedom mean to you?  Depending on your life circumstances, freedom may mean something different or have a special focus.   For some the most important item is financial freedom, so one can live where one wants, and enjoy other amenities of life.  For someone else, freedom from violence, whether it’s a safe neighborhood clear of gang fights or an abusive partner is freedom.   For others the right to speak one’s mind without reprisals, to assemble, to worship however one wants; for some the right to bear arms is valued. 

Most of us cherish all these freedoms, to one degree or another.  Undergirding all these freedoms however is  spiritual freedom that gives a critical moral compass.  Spiritual freedom is achieved only through a relationship with God and God’s word, as Jesus taught, “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  John 8:32.   Jesus’ life and death and resurrection have won for us a spiritual freedom.  However it is a spiritual freedom not focused just on what we get, but what we can do for others.   Spiritual freedom is measured in our ability to love and care for others.  Spiritual freedom enables us to be other-focused not self-focused.  The spirit of Jesus enables us to rise above our own wants and needs and be drawn to acts of sacrificial care of our neighbor.  To donate money to a worthy cause.  To give our time to help an elderly person or assist at a food pantry.  To call government representatives, write a letter, or advocate on an important social issue. Through Christ we are freed from the chains of selfishness to feel the lack of freedom that others experience.  Through the free Spirit of Christ, we are compelled to act.

On this Fourth of July, let us remember all the freedoms we have come to cherish and let us protect them.   However, let us remember Paul’s words:  “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” 2 Corinthians 3:17.    If we are spiritually free, we know the greatest blessing of all, a freedom of freedoms, God’s love in action through our very lives.

Happy Independence Day!
 
Prayer:  God of Freedom:   Set us free from sin and all fears and doubts and set us free to serve you in those you place in our lives. Amen.  
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    Moirajo is a minister, social worker, wife, mother, writer and animal lover. That's just for starters. Join the story, there's so much we can share together! 

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