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Soaring, Not Stumbling
In the creation story, it tells us that on the seventh day, God rested. Specifically, “God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work” (Genesis 2:3). Listening to this story in Sunday School, I thought that God needed to rest because he was tired. Today’s verses in Isaiah say the opposite — that God never needs to rest because he does not grow tired or weary. Instead, he chooses to rest to enjoy his creations. Even better, God will share this boundless energy with us. How cool would it be to have endless energy? Sometimes I can’t even get through the day without my cup of tea in the afternoon!
I’m currently training for a half marathon so this passage speaks to me personally. I haven’t yet learned to run and not be weary physically. Instead, I read this passage as telling us not to grow tired of running our earthly race. Instead, we should keep our eyes focused on what really matters: spending eternity with God, where we too will not get tired.
Don’t you love the contrast when stumbling and falling are compared with soaring like eagles? If you’ve ever seen the end of a race, you’ve watched the athletes who struggle to stay upright long enough to cross the finish line. Compare that image with eagles flying. God designed eagles with special feathers at the end of their wings that are designed to catch updrafts of air. When migrating over long distances, eagles use natural air currents to push them up high and then they glide to the next updraft, where the process is repeated. God will give us the same ability to glide out of turbulence instead of letting it wear us down to the point of falling — sometimes we just have to hang on until we reach the top!
Thanks Anne, I love the image of eagles soaring. I had a friend tell me she was praying that verse for my child. I was so blessed. I need to remember that God wants us to rest when we need rest and to soar not stumble when we need to work. Have a blessed day flying with God.
I can hear Bette Midler singing!
“…his understanding no one can fathom.” This is a thought I’ve been chewing on a bit lately. If He is able to weave the infinite detail and possibilities in all of history and our lives together to bring about his perfect will, than He is probably able to handle my stuff. He is truly the LORD and Creator of the ends of the earth. On that I can rest. Thanks Anne.
One addition to my post above — I spent the day at Stone Mountain yesterday doing team-building activities with my coworkers. After the last activity, I looked up to see three beautiful hawks circling above. It had new meaning with these verses fresh in my mind.