Listen

Youths will become tired and weary, young men will certainly stumble; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength; they will fly up on wings like eagles; they will run and not be tired; they will walk and not be weary.

Isaiah 40:30-31

Think

I’ve read that a migrating eagle flies around 98 miles per day and can reach 225 miles per day. An average eagle’s wingspan is between 6-7 feet. Can you imagine flapping wings that long for 98-225 miles? But here’s the thing: Eagles actually spend very little time in flight flapping their wings. On long flights, they usually soar on thermals (a column of rising air) until they are high enough, then they primarily glide and soar covering a long distance without using much energy.

The Christian life is also a long, sometimes challenging journey. How do we faithfully live dealing with all life throws at us without growing weary and giving up? We learn to soar like eagles. Rather than wearing ourselves out flapping our wings in our own strength, we learn to soar on God’s strength. By seeking God through scripture and prayer, we find God’s “wind,” ruach in Hebrew, which is also translated as “spirit.” What good news! We can rest in God’s Spirit and soar on.

Stella Perrin

Pray

God, there are days when I just don’t feel like I have the strength to keep going. I confess that I try to do things my way and in my own strength. Help me to stay near to you so the Holy Spirit can help me to soar in your strength. Amen.

Go

Go, believing in the power of the good news to restore, heal, forgive, and bring peace.

Jesus says: “I have said these things so that you will have peace in me. In the world you have distress. But be encouraged! I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33)