WHILE THINKING OF THE NEW YEAR, a photograph of eagles soaring high above the mountains captured my attention. King Solomon said “the way of an eagle in the sky” amazed him (Pro 30:18). I painted this picture for you, well, for me too. However, I struggled over the accompanying blog for weeks. How can a painting of flying eagles encourage us? I saw strength in the eagles and knew I needed whatever they had to persevere. I also know we all face another challenging year in many ways.  

The Scriptures encouraged my heart as I moved to various verses about eagles. First, I love that King David says the LORD “satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s (Psa 103:5). Eagles illustrate strength, and I wanted to remind us all of God’s power available to us and over us this year.

In describing the LORD’s love for His people, Moses writes that God is “like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them aloft” (Deu 32:11). While still a child, my grandmother gave me a hint of my birthday present one year by telling me about eagles.

Eagles remove the nest padding, making it uncomfortably prickly to urge the fledglings to balance along the edge. The nest is built high on a rocky cliff, and when the babies fall, the eagle dives beneath them, catches them on her wings and carries them back to safety. She repeats this “release and catch” process until the eaglets learn to fly. What a powerful illustration of God’s care for us. By the way, my birthday present was a parakeet—hardly comparable to an eagle, but still a bird. What can I say?

Last night, New Year’s Eve, after too much chocolate, I fell asleep after the fireworks ended and awoke at 1:30. Rather than lie there awake hour after hour, I decided to work on this blog. Yes, I’m weary today, but the prophet Isaiah writes, “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall, 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” (Isa 40:28-31).

God gives new strength to those who wait for Him to care for them. I’ve never been a patient person, not just due to my sinful nature but because I’ve always lived with a sense of urgency. Yet, God says to “wait” on Him. Another translation says to “hope” in Him. Those who hope in Him can spread out their wings like eagles; they run and don’t get weary; they walk and do not faint. 

In this new season of my life, I’m also reminded of Hebrews 12:2. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer, and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb 12:1-2).

This race, to which God Himself uniquely calls me, is where He conforms me to His image (see Rom 8:28-29) and works through me according to His plan and purpose. The Apostle Paul asks, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought at a price.” (1Cor 6:19).

Therefore, as belonging to the LORD, I ask Him to search my heart and show me anything that hinders me from soaring like an eagle. I also ask Him to reveal the sin that so easily entangles my feet, keeping me from persevering on this race He chose for me to run.

The faithfulness of God’s Holy Spirit answers my prayer by gently pointing to self-pity, self-doubt, fear of failure, and appearing stupid, especially if I get lost when driving. He points out my laziness to read directions (it’s hard for a big-picture person to focus on titchy details). Then there is that self-defeating attitude of “I can’t,” using my age as an excuse not to try.

My particular race recently changed to widowhood, singleness, aloneness, needing to take personal responsibility for whatever needs doing. How I need courage, inner strength, confidence, and absolute trust in the truth of God’s Word. 

But, practically, how do I “spread my wings?” How do I soar like an eagle? I suddenly visualize “spreading my wings” by trying new things—driving to new places, following the GPS on my phone, changing printer ink, light bulbs, and doing online banking. I anticipate the joy to come when I once again pursue painting with passion and confidence, learning new techniques and writing passionately to fulfill my God-given assignment. That, to me, feels like soaring.

So much of an eagle’s flight is resting, not striving. They catch an updraft and simply allow the wind to carry them aloft. The LORD is the wind beneath my wings. I need only to wait on Him, and He will lift me to new heights and give me a greater perspective of my circumstances.

I’ve struggled to understand precisely what “fix my eyes on Jesus” means. Paul brings practicality to this concept when he says,” Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1Thes 5:16-18). I fix my eyes on Jesus by reading His Word and bringing all my thoughts into obedience to Him. His Word is living and powerful enough to keep me in a prayerful attitude all day. I fix my eyes on Him by talking to Him, casting my burdens on Him, and remaining aware of His presence. 

Psalm 5:3 says, “In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning, I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” I can choose to wait in expectation for Him to answer my prayers and give me His strength, courage, and confidence. So too, I make a conscious decision to actively receive His comfort, His peace, the Father’s love for me, and always His forgiveness.

“For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Even though I strongly dislike hardships, He rescues me from self-pity, complaining, grumbling, a lousy attitude, resentment, or comparing my lot with others.

Have I, do I, will I panic when I feel myself plunging from the security of my nest into a vast unknown? Yes. Only when I place my hope in my LORD and wait quietly for Him to come through for me will I run without growing weary, walk and not lag behind. I so desire to soar on eagle’s wings far above hardships, loneliness, or incompetencies. I ask Creator God for the courage to spread my wings and catch the updraft of His love and care. He knows. He cares. He pays rapt attention to my prayers and to yours. 

My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, And my refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us (Psa 62:5-8).