Funny how you can hear a scripture over and over again but then all of a sudden you just “get it.”
Even though the truths in the Bible are eternal, they were written in a time and a place that seems very far removed from the life we live today. We may have a hard time truly understanding references to a culture and time we are not familiar with. The profoundness of what we are reading is sometimes obscured. I am thankful to the many teachers, commentaries, and translations that have helped me along the way.
We can miss it unless we dig, unless we slow down to hear the Holy Spirit, unless we sit down long enough to look up.
I know because I looked up one beautiful afternoon this summer on vacation. I was in a boat on pristine Stone Mountain Lake. Before I get too far ahead of myself, let me interrupt this beautiful picture of tranquility afloat… I was with 20 other people on a duck tour. Most of the ride was quite noisy, however the thrill of blowing into the duck callers we’d each been handed as we boarded the boat had worn off. It eventually became quiet enough for me to hear God’s voice.
Despite the fact that I had the most picturesque view at eye level, I glanced up at the sky and saw 2 hawks flying overhead. I watched them flap their wings, then I saw them soar. I immediately thought of Isaiah 40:3.
"but those who hope in the Lordwill renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,hey will walk and not be faint."
Oh yes Lord, I already know that scripture…
I continued to watch and realized that He wanted to show me something specific. As the hawks flapped their wings they moved forward, but it wasn’t until they stopped flapping their wings that they soared. It wasn’t until they ceased striving that they reached incredible heights. When they stopped doing their part they were elevated.
Sometimes I strive; sometimes I do things in my own strength.
God wanted to show me that once I do what He has asked me to do, He will do the rest.
Honor your husband, I will do the rest. Love your children, I will do the rest. Pray for your loved ones, I will do the rest.
I can stop trying so hard to be more, to do more. That’s not what God needs from me. He does however want me to trust. When my house is a mess and my kids are noisy He wants me to stop, say a quick prayer and let Him be my strength. When I have deadlines and am running out of time, He wants me ask for His wisdom. When I am not sure if my prayers for loved ones are being heard, He wants me to hope in Him. He desires that we not grow weary, get burned out, give up, faint…but soar!
In what area are you hoping God will help you soar?
Kimberly is an enthusiastic and dedicated founding member of the Circles of Faith team. She is known for her creativity, strong faith, and commitment to living life with purpose and passion. Kimberly is a writer and community builder whose desire is…Full bio/Author Website/Twitter
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