Recently I came across a quote from a woman named Gladys Aylward:

"The eagle that soars in the upper air does not worry itself how it is to cross rivers."

I don't know the intent or the context of her quote; some would argue that this is simply a practical statement of fact - if you fly, you don't have to worry about the details of maneuvering over or around earth-bound obstacles. Others might see this as the essence of faith - when enabled to fly you shouldn't worry about all of the details of how and why you are doing so, or what it is that lies below.

If you are the eagle, it is a practical statement because flying is your thing, it is what you do. However, if your primary means of transport is walking, and yet you are enabled to fly, well - then it is truly a matter of faith. Most of us aren't eagles - we aren't even birds, and acting in ways contrary to our nature can be tricky. It is one thing to fly when you have the inate ability to soar for miles without moving your wings, simply riding the currents and enjoying the view; it is quite another thing to jump off and not worry about crash landing, or getting picked off by some larger predator that calls the air currents home.

We are earth dwellers who are generally not gifted with the natural ability to fly. Yet by faith we are enabled to fly, to "soar on wings like eagles" (Isaiah 40:31). Should we choose (that choice thing again) to keep our feet firmly planted we cannot fly. If we have faith enough to fly, the Lord promises to sustain us. Of course, knowing this and acting on it are what differentiate us as Christians...the most vibrant Christians I have known are those that have "flown" in their faith.

I am not saying that we must all leave the ground to know Him, but when we step out -or up- in our faith and let Him sustain us, we get to see things from a different perspective; a higher one that is maybe a bit closer to His. Me? I'm like a canary with clipped wings, making a lot of noise and jumping around a bit now and then but rarely taking full flight.

Some of you are saying - and rightfully so - that we don't all share the same gifts; some of us are better equipped to swim than fly. But if you think about it, swimming takes similar movements to flying - you're just moving through a much more humid environment.

Heavenly Father, please help us to overcome our attraction to this earth so that we are willing to look up and leap into your arms of sustaining grace. We love you and we praise you for your protection and provision while loved ones have been serving you, both nearby and far from home. Thank you for loving even the emu and ostrich, and the canaries with the clipped wings.
In Jesus' name, Amen.

Brad