Read Isaiah 40
During the winter, the swamps around our home are
filled with vultures. They are
definitely not the prettiest birds, but when they ride the thermals there is an
awe-inspiring grace about these very large birds. This is especially true when
30, 60, 100 all leave their roost in the trees to circle high into the heavens.
It is hard to believe that they are the same birds so clumsily hoping along the
side of the road to avoid getting hit by a car.
Circling in the sky, they look like they are simply
having fun, but there really are several reasons why these large birds ride the
thermals:
- By gaining altitude, they widen their vision. In their search for provisions, this higher perspective enables them to see far more than is visible from ground or tree level.
- It expends minimum energy for maximum gain.
- It extends range that can be traveled whether in search of food or during migration.
- These updrafts of warm air lift them over large obstacles.
In order for these large birds to ride the thermals,
they must intentionally fly into the heat. Once impacted by the rising warm
air, they have to adapt to the conditions by curving their wings. This captures
the currents rather than fighting against them. They also must keep turning
into the wind even though relaxing would be more comfortable. When things cool
off, it is not the time to take it easy, but diligently flap into the next
heated situation. In order to get over
hurdles, like a pelican needing to get over a large wave or an eagle over a
mountain, they have to actually fly directly towards the obstacle, trusting
that the reflected heat will lift them up and over.
Thermals need obstacles, heat and wind currents to
produce the updraft that enable the birds to soar. The same is required for us. Life provides an abundance of obstacles and
challenges. They are an inevitable part of living in this world. Some are
constant and common; many are situational and others unexpected. Without the
Holy Spirit, the ever-present wind of God, working with the heat these produce,
we would exhaust our strength and resources trying to fly over and through
them. John 5:17 assures us that God is
always working, thus so is His Spirit. How like God to work graciously with the
inevitable obstacle and challenges to produce the thermals we need to overcome
them.
However, there is still one element needed – us! We have to intentionally fly into the heat,
tip the wings of our faith in acceptance of this challenge and lean into the
Spirit to gain the much-needed lift. Isaiah
40:31 says, “Yet those who wait for the
Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles.” Despite how it looks, neither riding the
thermals nor waiting is passive. The
word “wait” is qavah in Hebrew. It
means to bind together by twisting or wrap up in. It is a partnership that depends on all the
parts being present and working together. It is an all in dependency that makes
soaring possible overcoming the obstacle and redeeming the challenge.
Making It
Personal
Our natural reaction is to fight against the
challenges and turn away from any obstacles. What does it mean to you to
“intentionally fly into the heat”?
How is riding the thermals the same as “walking by faith?” (2 Corinthians 5:7)
What is required of you to adapt to the conditions and
“tip your wings?”
In Greek, Philippians 4:13 reads, Panta ischue en toi enounamounti me Christoi.” A word for word
translation is “All doing is by the enabling/strengthening/empowering of me by
Christ.” How does this give you a
different perspective on the challenges you face today?
How does this necessitate a greater dependence and
commitment to partnering with Christ?
These big birds know that they have to go higher to go
further; so do you. Take time to go
higher – ride the thermals.
