It was my favorite spot to put the kayaks in the river. About 5 minutes from our house. Easy access. Right next to the Sewage Filtration Plant. Wait…What? Hey it was the White River in Muncie, IN I am sure it was okay! Why that location? About a quarter of mile downstream, high in the top of a tree was a massive eagle’s nest. And almost always at least one eagle was sitting in it or near it.  That day was no different.  As we approached the nest, I stopped paddling to take in the sight. Similar to the picture above I downloaded off the internet. I was kayaking, gimme a break, I didn’t have a camera!  As I floated past the nest and turned to look down stream, putting my paddle back in the water, out of a tree on the other side of the river dropped the other eagle. Swooping down to the surface of the water and gliding just inches above the river.  Amazing! I have said it before and I will say it again – There is just something majestic about an eagle!

I immediately think of Isaiah’s description of the follower of God, “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.”  How many of you have ever felt like that eagle. Spiritually you were soaring – not weary – not faint.  How many spiritual eagles do you know? I mean followers of God whose life is awe inspiring – soaring just above the surface of any circumstance. The Church in America is missing some eagles. Where are the eagles?

“Many Christians are careful to observe certain times, places and rituals for worship; but when the service of the church is over, they are but like those that profess no regard for religion. In their manner of life, in the way they spend their time and money, in their cares and worries, fears and pleasures, indulgences and diversions, it is often impossible to distinguish professing Christians from the rankest unbelievers, until they once again unite to sing of their love and devotion to Jesus.” 

That sounds like commentary on many western Christians today. The only problem is that was written by William Law, Church of England, 1761 – 260 years ago.  Where are the Eagles? The church doesn’t seem to have changed much over the years. I ask myself why, when God has given us everything we need to live a life pleasing to him – a life with Jesus that enables us to soar just above the problems, circumstances, trials and tribulations. Why are so many of us not soaring? Perhaps we are missing eagles because we have been preaching and teaching following Jesus and not preaching becoming like Jesus. We have preached knowing him and not imitating him. We have preached believe in him and not be like him. We have taught comfort and not sacrifice. We have preached love Him and not fear Him.

Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Until we begin to live our life with a healthy fear of God, in awe of God, we will never soar like eagles. Many have lived the life of a flightless bird. There is nothing more uninspiring than to see a bird with wings – seemingly made for flight – run across the ground. Believers are made to fly.  But when we remove the fear of God – remove the awe of God – the majesty of God – he becomes ordinary – kind of like you and me. 

We must return to a healthy fear of God? To live in the awe inspiring majesty of the Creator of the Universe. The Almighty Maker of heaven and earth. To worship him in all of the awesomeness that is Jesus!

“Soaring. Life as God intended it enables us to live above the drag of fear, superstition, shame, pessimism, guilt, anxiety, worry, and all the negativity that keeps people from seizing each day as a gift from Him. The abundant life allows a person to start the day by saying, ‘Lord I’m yours. Today is yours. I give you all of my problems as I begin this new day. I know I’ll struggle and grope, and I may even stumble, but I know your with me and you will use every experience of my life to increase my ability to receive more and more strength from you.” Chuck Swindoll

“Are you ready to soar?”