Soar Like Eagles

Some people like to give their homes names like The Pines, Jack’s Creek Ranch, The Villa, etc. We are old enough to be eccentric so we named our home The Eagle’s Rest. There are no eagles here (except pictures and statuettes), but we had a good reason for choosing this name. As Christians, we appreciate a verse in the Bible in the Book of Isaiah which says “He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.”

I have always thought of missionaries, pastors and other full time ministers as eagles. So we named our home The Eagle’s Rest because we invite ministers here for a rest, for a time of refreshing, for a time to wait upon the Lord so that they can then mount up with wings like eagles.

I received something about eagles from an English missionary who serves in Berlin and it really spoke to me. Here are some of the thoughts that came to me as I read it. The eagle is known for his strength, power, speed, passion and boldness. It is the only bird that trusts himself to fly in a storm. Most birds hide when a storm is approaching, but the eagle actually flies above the storm. This brings to mind that we should be carried up by the wind of the Holy Spirit and soar above all obstacles. The eagle doesn’t flap his wings, but allows himself to be carried along by the wind. He goes where the wind carries him.

When an eagle is taken captive, it stops cleaning itself and begins to get dirty. It loses its recklessness. When an eagle gets sick or begins to grow old (this part I really like), limescale begins to accumulate on its beak making it almost impossible to tear meat and eat. He has to rely on carrion which is against his nature. Eventually, he would die if he didn’t do something. (As a Christian, we cannot afford to exist on yesterday’s manna, or we will become ineffective.)

However, a eagle realizes this and finds a rock on a high place with water and an abundance of sun. He begins to beat his beak against the rock making the limescale loosen and fall off. Then he begins to rip out all of his feathers and sits in the water to wash all the dirt away. Eventually, he grows new plumage and is “renewed.” This keeps him from growing old prematurely.

The rock and water can symbolize the Word. We must use the Word to break off any lies or accusations, unbelief, anxiety or fears that have come against us. These things tend to take away our faith and reliance on God. We must continually be renewed by the washing of the Word. After a while, ministers can begin to rely on their own knowledge and experiences. Like Lot, we can become vexed by being exposed daily to the ungodliness around us. We need to just have a safe place to molt and shed the filth that has gradually accumulated on our minds.

When this process is completed, we can again rise up with wings like an eagle, new wings, new vision, new hope, new joy, new purpose, and soar above those things which so easily entangle us.

I think I need to go find a rock.