Taking Wings of Faith

Soaring looks easy from a distance.

Ornithological cruise control.

The trick is to trust the rising thermals to invisibly carry birds from here to there. People find this more challenging--like walking in mid-air without a net. God proves trustworthy and sufficient each time we step out in faith. We rise each day with the chance for a fresh start--a new way of orienting ourselves to our circumstances and to God.

How do we put away what is past and step into this new day, confidently trusting in God's Presence to accompany us into the decision-making that the day demands?

As we focus on God-with-us, we gain a different perspective. We need greater vision than our limited view allows.

To have hope in God is not wishing something were so, but is trusting...having faith in...waiting on God as God leads--a very different thing indeed.

The way of the world is wishing.

The way of wisdom and faith requires the active verb, trusting.

Nothing soft or passive about it. That kind of trust takes all we can bring to the task.

I have heard it said, "It was not my plan, but it is my portion..."

It takes great courage and strength to live into our portion. That's the taking flight part. It's not running away, but living into a life of faith.

Spirit-empowered wings of eagles veritably beat the air in surging bursts, giving flight as we rise above our circumstances. Can you hear it?

Only then do we soar.

May we trust God with this day as we receive grace for the journey.


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.
- Isaiah 40: 29-31

Your mercies are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”
- Lamentations 3:23-26

Hawks fly in a kettle, geese in a flock, and we need one another. Whether it is for aerodynamic advantage or support from others on the journey, it helps to have a journey partner.

I find inspiration also from Ann Voskamp and friends who share on a holy experience and Walk With Him Wednesdays.




Photo by Rob Kiser, red tailed hawk. Used with permission.

(revisited from April 28, 2011)