The Secret of Soaring Like Eagles
Two weeks before Christmas…are you already running behind? Exhausted? Weary? Maybe even burned out? It’s time to take a pause. It’s time to turn to Jesus to recover our lives. It’s time to take a real rest.
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:27-29. MSG)
We can’t make it on our own. We are not even supposed to make in on our own. Why do we still force ourselves to carry on even when we clearly can’t? And why do we blame God for our weaknesses and struggles? Because it’s not God who has moved away. It’s not God who’s weary. It’s not God who is out of breath.
Why would you ever complain, O Jacob,
or, whine, Israel, saying,
“God has lost track of me.
He doesn’t care what happens to me”?
Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening?
God doesn’t come and go. God lasts.
He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine.
He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath.
And he knows everything, inside and out.
He energizes those who get tired,
gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop out,
young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don’t get tired,
they walk and don’t lag behind.
(Isaiah 40:27-31, MSG)
Thomas Brooks has said “He who stands upon his own strength will never stand.” Everyone without God will faint, get tired, drop out. Anyone without God will stumble and fall.
Only when we learn the unforced rhythms of grace, we can figure out the secret of soaring like eagles. Only when we learn to exchange our weakness for his strength, can we run without getting tired. Only with God’ strength we can keep on walking and don’t lag behind.
How do we do that? Sure, it is harder than it sounds. Because we are stubborn and slow to learn. We keep trying and trying to manage on our own. We try to succeed like we are told to do in this fame-oriented world. But all hope for the future is rooted in God, not in self-sufficiency. All strength lies in God, not in ourselves.
The sooner we learn to empty ourselves and receive Christ, the more hope-filled we will be. The more we keep company with Christ, the more energized we are. The faster we learn to exchange our weakness for God’s strength, the sooner we start soaring like eagles.
Gracious God,
We can’t make it on our own.
We are at the end of our ropes.
Help us!
We bring to your our weaknesses,
our wounds and sorrows.
Heal us!
Teach us the unforced rhythms of grace!
Redeem, renew, restore!
Be our strength now and forever!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Q4U: How has God restored you? Have you exchanged your weaknesses for God’s strength?
Giving thanks today for
#961 God’s strength is everlasting
#962 God gives power to the faint
#962 We are called to lean on God
#964 God wants us now, not when we are perfect
#965 God is our hope
#966 Nobody can make it without God
#967 But with God we can
#968 God renews the ones who wait for him
#969 We are human beings, not human doings.
#970 God’s love for us is beyond our wildest dreams.
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Image courtesy of Photobucket. Linking up today with Sharing His Beauty & Hear it on Sunday, Use it on Monday and
6 thoughts on “The Secret of Soaring Like Eagles”
This is the second post I’ve read today about Emmanuel. God is for eternity. I’m so glad. Lately I’ve been tired, but not weary. God is holding me and I am enjoying this busy season.
Yes, TC! There is a difference between being tired and being weary. Thank you! May God continue to hold you up and renew your strength day by day!
Yikes–I don’t think I realized it’s really just two weeks until Christmas. I better get with it! No, I need to depend on GOD to help me rest through it as together we get things done. I heard a lesson just last night on Isaiah 40 and about God never growing tired or weary. So thankful for that!
Have a blessed week, Mari-Anna.
Yes, knowing that God never grows weary or tired makes me jubilant. We have an awesome God and we truly can rest in Him knowing that He will always take care of us. Thanks so much, Lisa! May your week be full of sweet blessings!
These are my favorite verses.
Yes, they are special, life-giving and full of grace. Thanks, Walter, for sharing! Abundant Blessings!