When it is time for young eagles to learn how to fly, the mother eagle begins to engage in a phenomenon known as “stirring the nest.” This process causes the nest, which was once the eaglet’s primary source of comfort and protection; to become a bed of thorns. Consequently, the eaglet has nowhere else to go but out of the plush confines of the nest, into the frontier of the firmament, via flight. At first glance, it seems cruel that the mother eagle would push her young out of the place that she toiled so selflessly to prepare and protect, but for the eaglet “stirring the nest” necessary. Everything about the eagle screams…FLIGHT! It was never meant to be confined to the nest. With an average wing span of 6-8 feet, light-weight bones, and the ability to fly to an altitude of 10,000 feet, the adult eagle was born to soar (see works cited below). I wish I could say that the journey to perfect flight is a pretty one, but it’s not. At first, there are many failed attempts at flight, but eventually, the eaglet leaves the nest behind, never to return.
As it is with the eagle, so goes the saga of the child of God. Many times, development is halted due to comfort. Our lifestyle of ease sometimes whispers a sweet lullaby in our ears, causing our passion for God to drift into a deep, cold sleep. If necessity is the mother of all invention, according to Plato, then I believe that complacency is its demise. Our greatest victories are born out of our greatest anguish. We must never lose sight of the purpose of pain. Yes…pain is unavoidable and sometimes can be borderline unbearable. Even though this is true, pain is not a death sentence. In most cases, it is God’s way of pointing us to a new place of provision and power. Don’t let the pain paralyze you…
KEEP MOVING!
In 1 Kings 17, Elijah the Tishbite prophesied famine and drought in the land of Israel. Ironically, he was an inhabitant of Israel at that time as well. However, because he was a true prophet, God compelled him to go to the Brook Cherith, which was a tributary of the Jordan River. There, God commanded the ravens to feed Elijah bread and meat twice a day (how about that for delivery). Although, it wasn’t the best of conditions, compared to the rest of Israel during that time, Elijah had access to a smorgasbord of sorts. As time passed, however, the inevitable happened. The nice, fresh brook, that flowed at Elijah’s feet began to dry up because of the drought.
OBEDIENCE UNLOCKS PROVISION
What do you do when the brook dries up?
What do you do when the ravens disappear?
What do you do when what used to be a blessing, now seems more like a curse?
You stand still and know that God is God.
As in Elijah’s case, God redirects us based on provision. If you are experiencing a drought in any area of your life now, I speak to you, right where you are, and admonish you to never give up. Every dry place in your life is God’s compass pointing you in the direction of new provision. Acknowledge Him and He will direct your path (Proverbs 3:6).
In the midst of the drought and famine, God directed Elijah to an obscure, little town on the outskirts of Israel called Zarephath. There, he found a widow gathering sticks for a fire, so that she could bake what would have been the last meal for her and her son. Does this seem strange to you? It sure seems strange to me. If I were God, I would have sent Elijah to one of the richest people in the land. Surely they would have had enough to spare to feed Elijah until the famine was over. I definitely wouldn’t have chosen a struggling widow. That’s why I love God. This particular widow had lost hope and was planning to starve to death after eating this one last meal. Little did she know that God had other plans. At the request of the prophet, this woman raised great faith and baked a cake for Elijah first (symbolic of first fruits), then one for her and her son. According to the word of God that came from Elijah, the widow’s last serving of meal and oil turned into an unending supply that lasted through the end of the famine. Because of her obedience, she thrived while others died in the same conditions.
GOD NEVER MOVES YOU UNTIL HE PROVES YOU
When the brook dries up, and the meals become irregular, don’t forget who your source is. You may be looking death in the face, because you’ve used your very last and now you’re out of options; don’t forget who your source is. God is never limited or intimidated by your necessity. It may surprise you to know that He is the one who designed it. Why? It all boils down to one thing…GLORY. In spite of the drought, God’s plans for you have not changed. According to Jeremiah 29:11, He already has a plan to prosper you and give you hope. He’s proving you now so that He can put you on display for His glory.
Remember…you were made to SOAR!!!
Now mount up.
Keep Learning ♦ Keep Loving ♦ Keep Living
Works cited: www.baldeagleinfo.com
Special thanks to my friend, Joe Torres, for furnishing the photograph used for this post.
Editor: Jaime Evans
Wisdom's Quill 