To soar on wings as eagles

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings as eagles.” Is. 40:31

“You are like an eagle getting ready to fly but you don’t because you’re afraid,” said the voice behind me. And I could visualize an eagle with its wings clipped.

We were huddled in a small group of four and the lady, who was another conference attendee, was praying for me. I looked down at my boots which had eagles engraved in them. My heart yearned to fly … to soar but the lady was right. I was afraid that my wings would not hold out and so I remained on the ledge.

I don’t know when I began listening to the lies of the enemy rather than the voice of truth coming from my Heavenly Father. But somewhere along the way I lost my way.

The last time I left the ledge of safety and security was 15 years ago when I packed my little bags and moved to a former communist country in the middle of Europe. I was certain I had heard the voice of my Heavenly Father, and I was willing to risk everything – quit my job, sell my car, say goodbye to my family and friends and yes, I soared over the Atlantic Ocean full of hope and faith.

I was passionate about my calling to share the love and truth of Jesus to all those God brought to me. I went on the streets with our team and even though I personally felt the sting of rejections (people not interested in knowing about God), I shared the Gospel.

But over the years, the passion left and cynicism crept in without so much as an invitation. I was only supposed to be here in Czechia for three years and in the early years, I gave it my all. I believed that every person who was willing to listen was a divine appointment sent by God.

When the lady prayed for me, I remembered a children’s story a friend wrote about an eagle named Swifty, who was born with one leg. It was a favorite story which my girls loved to read again and again.

When the day comes for Swifty to leave the ledge and fly, he falls instead of soaring in the sky. His father catches him and asks, why doesn’t he use his wings?

Swifty recalls how the crows would come and mock at his one leg and tell him that he would never fly. He believed the crows.

And I recall the crows in my life – a well-meaning Czech pastor who told us to, “Go home.” We weren’t needed. Friends who said, they didn’t see any “fruit” in our ministry. But the strongest voices came from within.

Who was I kidding living overseas? I didn’t go to a Bible college. What did I know about God and faith? Wasn’t I just wasting my time, my life?

Then I had babies and the worries of life and the realization that my heart was broken and hurting in places I thought had been healed snuffed out any belief that I could make a difference.

But it doesn’t have to stay that way. Swifty chose to believe his father and he flew just as he was created to do. And we also were created to soar. It’s high time to leave the limiting beliefs, the lies of the enemy at the foot of the Cross.

Today is the start of a New Year and it’s time to take flight and soar for the glory of God. Won’t you join me? Let’s get off the ledge and go for what God has for us in 2017!