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On The Upper Room Discourse Re-Release For Lent 2024

GOD WANTS YOU TO FLY!

He sustained him in a desert land, in a howling wilderness waste; he shielded him, cared for him, guarded him as the apple of his eye. As an eagle stirs up its nest and hovers over its young; as it spreads its wings, takes them up, and bears them aloft on its pinions.
Deuteronomy 32:10-11

Once while reading today’s scripture, I was taken by the imagery of God as an eagle stirring up its nest and hovering over its young. I did not know what to make of the imagery, but knew there was something important here. So, I called my friend Larry, a wildlife artist devoted to studying and painting birds. I talked with Larry about the passage and asked if he could explain the imagery of God as an eagle stirring up its nest. I will never forget what Larry said. He told me that when a young eaglet begins to get its wings the mother begins preparing it to leave the comfort and security of the nest. So, she starts removing straw, corn stalks and other soft materials from the nest, making it a less comfortable place to stay. At the same time, she begins returning to the nest without food for the young, but places the food on a nearby rock or ledge. She wants her eaglet to learn to fly and thrive on its own.  But the mother eagle will hover over her young, prompting it to fly, to hunt, and to live independently.

A light went on for me as I listened to Larry explain about the mother eagle. I began to think of times in my life when I had become too comfortable, times I was even stuck deep into the status quo. I was too lazy or too fearful to risk getting on with life.  God wanted a lot more for me!  So, God had His ways of stirring things up, but always hovering near to care and provide for me. 

Sometimes I feel unsettled, restless, like God is stirring things up. I know God can use this holy discontent to get me moving.  God longs for me to dare to risk, and to trust Him to do new things through me for the world and for His Kingdom. He wants me to fly. God wants you to fly!

A fellow traveler,
Tim

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