INTRODUCTION
If you are blessed to live in one of the sunnier parts of the country or world, then please forgive me for envying your good fortune. Yes, I realize that we always seem to want what we don't have - but I dare my sunny Florida, or Arizona, or California readers to spend 35 winters (and springs) in Oregon - after which we'll talk about whether you still think the land of luscious green foliage is for you.
Because for those of us who live on the edge of winter depression, where sunlight is the drug of choice, the dark winters and rain-soaked spring months become a survival of sorts - where sometimes even the best strategies give way to emotions that are tinted gray. And where life itself feels as gridlocked as the immovable clouds that surround the city.
And so it was one winter morning as I sipped my second cup of coffee and pondered the leafless tree outside and my sinking emotions on the inside. Today seemed wetter than usual. The drainpipes seemed louder than usual. And I slipped into spiritual survival mode.
Grabbing my Bible from the bedside table, I allowed it to open randomly - wherever destiny would choose. Quite frankly, I had no preconceived idea of where I was going with this or what I needed to read or see. It was an anxiety-ridden moment, and it seemed like God should have something to say about it.
Call it divine intervention or call it likely probability, but the Bible opened somewhat in the middle - to the book of Isaiah. Parts of Isaiah 40 were underlined. Not in a some theologically arrogant way. Actually, in a very scribbly, unsteady handed kind of way that made me wonder what I was doing the moment I first underlined it! I couldn't remember. But my eyes went to verse 29: "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak."
Hmm... That kinda describes me right there. Weary and weak.
Verse 30 emptied into the very familiar verse 31: "...but 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."
Somehow, it seemed as if I should be having a supernatural, out-of-body experience right now. After all, the Bible did open to this page without any guidance from me. I read verse 31 several times. Nothing. Just the endless sound of rain.
I found myself facing off with God, reminding Him of His own words.
"God! You said that if my hope is in you, I will have renewed strength. You said that if my hope is in you, I will soar on wings like the eagles do. My hope is in you. Soaring, I'm not. Am I missing something?"
And my eyes dropped for a fourth time to verse 31: "They will soar on wings like eagles." Wait! This former English teacher zeroed in. Is that a copy editing mistake? In the Bible? You don't soar on wings, you soar with wings...uh...right?
And suddenly that little preposition, on, presented a question. A mystery to solve. And I love a good mystery. If the word on is used correctly in verse 31 of Isaiah 40, then soaring on wings must be a concept I've never considered, and possibly a unique eagle trick. It sounded interesting enough to explore. And explore I did.
In that moment, I temporarily forgot about gray, drenched winters and embarked on a research journey that would lead me to over a decade of study on that revered, yet mysterious raptor - the eagle. And I have some good news for you. The word on is correctly used in that verse, and you will read about it in Chapter 3.
If you think you need to grow some wings that you're not sure can even hold you up during this particular season of life - then lay down the burden of that. There's no need. Be assured that you will not be required to fly until you are first carried.
Join me as we begin following an eagle's life - from birth through maturity - and finally into death. If you sign on for this ride - you'll get a nearsighted and farsighted glimpse into God's impenetrable love for humankind and His ultimate desire to be intimately and dynamically involved with us. On a day-to-day practical level, the parable of the eagle will speak to your important decisions, your soulish scrapes, your wearied nights, your uncomfortable days. You'll find yourself looking at your fears, facing your regrets, celebrating your triumphs, growing from mistakes and creating strategies for your survival.
Almost 15 years after my rainy day tantrum, my relationship with the eagle has evolved into one of deep respect and awe. Not because I worship the eagle, but because the God I do worship has given me an extra measure of hope, encouragement, correction, direction, discernment and perseverance through the life of this amazing creature. Like the First Peoples before us, I sense a special favor of God upon the eagle - to teach. And as an educator, I appreciate lessons that are filtered through real-life metaphors.
As you move through this book, I encourage you to examine your own life parables. My hope is that within these posts and pages, you'll discover how very involved God is with the details of your life - and that His great love has purchased you a first class seat...on the edge of the wing.
Cheryl Rehklau Cranston
COMING NEXT: PART I
Chapter 1 - In the Nest, for a Season
Click on the link below and be inspired by the following song, "Eagle's Wings":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6K2QkyDnhgY
"You will not be required to fly until you are first carried." LOVE! Beautiful and hopeful.
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