Freedom

I love watching eagles and hawks fly.

Just north of Moline Illinois, there is a park nestled up against the Mississippi River. In this park there is a very high cliff that was probably carved out by the rushing waters of the ‘Mighty Miss’ over the eons. Spread across the face of this cliff are several nesting areas used by Bald Eagles.

Many are the times I traveled to this park in search of a distraction from the pressures of life. One of the diversions I would indulge was watching these beautifully majestic birds as they flew high above the river, watching for an unsuspecting dinner guest. I could do that for hours on end. It fascinates me to watch as they simply turn into the wind and rise from the ground to effortlessly glide higher and higher.

I would sit and try to imagine how that feels, the total freedom of being suspended in the air, defying the laws of gravity, sentient only to the wind in my face and the magnificent view below. Unfortunately my wife and my insurance agent have no sense of adventure, therefore I have never ventured into the world of hang gliding. Someday…yes someday.

It occurs to me in some ways, the trials of life act as gravity upon our souls. While we watch others who are free to rise above the fray, and ‘catch a thermal’ rising ever higher enjoying the wonderful gifts of a loving God, we are many times bound to earth by the situations we find ourselves in. Our imagination, and sense of adventure are not great enough to look beyond the ‘way things are’ and consider ‘how they might be’. How sad.

Throughout the scripture we are called to be as eagles; mighty, fearless, majestic and free. True, even the eagle must return to earth, and we will always have to deal with the realities of life. However, we need to spread our wings and allow the wind of the Spirit of God to lift us from the facts of living, and allow us to dwell within the truth of His freedom.

We don’t have to long for what is already available to us, if we will only allow God to expand our vision.

Let’s take a flight today…
Enjoy the Java
Jim