Soaring Like Eagles

Time seems to stand still in the “waiting room” of life. It is a place where life is put on hold. When I visit my doctor, I sometimes wait in his waiting room for what seems like hours, but when I check my watch, it’s only been 20 minutes. When we are in the waiting room of life, it seems as if time has come to a screeching halt. This is how it sometimes feels while we wait on the Lord.

One of the most important exhortations of the Bible is the instruction to “wait on the Lord.” Even though God promises special blessings for those who wait, waiting is one of the most challenging exhortations of scripture. Why is it so difficult? Because, as a part of fallen humanity, we are so likely to take matters into our own hands and follow our plans. Yet, the Bible repeatedly instructs us to “wait on the Lord.”

We don’t like to wait, and when we think of waiting, we are apt to respond with a pun: “Wait? That’s what caused the bridge to collapse!” But, of course, that was weight, not wait. But then, these two words, weight and wait, are not always unrelated because one of our needs in staying in the Lord is to cast the weighty burdens of life on Him.

I once read an article from NLP Life that used eagles to illustrate how God gives us strength while we wait through trials. According to NLP Life, “Eagles know when a storm is approaching long before it breaks? The eagle will fly to a high spot and wait for the winds to come. When the storm hits, it sets its wings so that the wind will pick it up and lift it above the storm. While the storm rages below, the eagle is soaring above it. The eagle does not escape the battery; it simply uses the storm to lift it higher. It rises on the winds that bring the storm.”

When the storms of life come upon us, we can rise above them by keeping our eyes on Jesus, knowing He will keep His promises. He’s the same yesterday, today, and forever. Whatever it may be, our current situation doesn’t have to overcome us; God promised not to leave or forsake us. (Deuteronomy 31:6) God will strengthen us while we wait. His love, mercy, and faithfulness will lift us above the dark clouds so we can ride the winds of the storm that bring sickness, tragedy, failure, and disappointment into our lives.

Friends, I don’t know if you can relate, but I’ve faced many life storms that could have destroyed or made me stronger. I’ve experienced many storms, but I’ve learned to look for Jesus during them and to trust Him, knowing that He will not forsake me. Keeping my focus on Jesus and not my current circumstances have given me the strength to soar above the storms, just like the eagle. And friends, He will do the same for you in whatever storm you face. 

Beloved, as we are waiting on God to strengthen us, let’s remember the words of the prophet Isaiah “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.” (Isaiah 40:31 NLT).

Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding me that You are with me throughout my storms. Thank you for giving me your strength and not giving up on the many times I’ve crumbled and was tempted to give up. Thank you for your unconditional love and mercy. I am who I am today because of You, Father. In Jesus’ precious name, amen!