Are you a turkey or an eagle? That may sound like a funny question, but the answer may be enlightening! Let me explain. Turkeys and eagles are both birds, but they are quite different. Turkeys scrounge for a living, frighten easily and remain close to the ground in confined pens. When a storm approaches, turkeys immediately seek cover, preferring to remain cooped up under cover with others until the danger passes.
Eagles, however, are not scavengers: they are keen hunters They think for themselves and build their homes in the heights from where they leave the security of their nests to spread their wings and ride the air currents. Eagles are intelligent. By riding the air currents, they never tire and when a storm approaches, they soar above the threat by allowing these currents to carry them higher and well above the danger below. So, in comparing the two birds we are left with the option of either running in circles and hiding with the turkeys or flying high with the eagles!
There are about 30 references to eagles in the Bible. The prophet Isaiah makes a specific reference to the eagle in Isaiah 40:28-31. "Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He gives strength. Even the youth shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, But They that wait upon the Lord, They shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings as eagles; They shall run and not be weary; They shall walk, and not faint." Indeed, to 'soar' in this way is to allow ourselves to be lifted up, to be guided and to be directed by the powerful wind of God. It is to be nurtured and propelled by the Holy Spirit of God!
Turkeys run away and keep their heads stuck on the ground, 'gobbling' to one another. Eagles offer us another way. Here we are invited to wait upon God to gently lift us. We are called to pause and anticipate God’s spirit coming to propel us forward without any stress. Eagles do not withdraw: they do not take cover when danger approaches or when challenges confront them. Eagles fly high over the storm soaring above their troubles.
There is a lesson here. The way forward is not to hide and it is not to withdraw. The way forward is not to take cover when problems approach but to allow the Holy Spirit to soar with you so that the fears that capture you can be dealt with head on! So as you consider these things remember, turkeys ultimately end up on the table as someone’s dinner while eagles continue to fly high with purpose, direction and with freedom! Are you a turkey or are you an eagle? Give it some thought!
Lord Bless you and Keep you,
Pastor Jo Ann