The eagle has the longest life-span among birds. It can live up to 70 years. But to reach this age, the eagle has to make a hard decision. In its 40's its long and flexible talons (those thick long claws) can no longer grab prey which serves as food. Its long and sharp beak becomes bent. Its old-aged and heavy wings, due to their thick feathers, become stuck to its chest and make it difficult to fly. Then the eagle is left with two options: it can either die or go through a painful process of change which last 150 days. The process requires that the eagle fly to a mountain top and sit on its nest; there the eagle knocks its beak against a rock until it plucks it out. After plucking it out, the eagle will wait for a new beak to grow back and use that new beak to pluck out its talons. When its new talons grow back, the eagle starts plucking its old-aged feathers. And after five months the eagle takes its famous flight of rebirth …and lives for 30 more years. Was it worth it to that eagle, to go through 150 days of pain, in order to live 30 more years? I truly think so!
Why is change needed? Many times in our lives we find that, in order to survive, we have to go through a change process. We sometimes need to get rid of old habits, old memories, and other past traditions. And it is only when we are freed from these past burdens, can we take advantage of the present. We walk around spiritually dead, until we are willing to let go of the past and live in the present. We walk around holding onto past hurts and feelings, bitterness and anger, and unforgiveness, with a vengeful heart. We are walking around burdened down, dragging grave clothes; some things that should have been buried a long time ago. We have to let it go and let God take full control of our lives. Think about it! If that eagle chose not to go through that very painful change process, it would surely die. How much do you want to live? Do you want to live the abundant life that Jesus promised? Then be willing to go through the change process. Go up to your mountain top, the place where you are close to God; and stay there until your change comes.
When it rains, most birds run for shelter. The eagle is the only bird that, in order to avoid the rain, starts flying above the clouds. God wants us to learn to fly above the clouds, where the sun is always shining. Have you ever gone to the airport in the rain and after you take flight you find yourself above the clouds with the sun shining bright? With God, all things are possible!!! We can fly above the clouds of life. There is a change coming and we have to be ready and willing to make the change. Accept what God allows, because He knows exactly what He is doing. He knows how beautiful we will be when He is finished with us. We are going to be brand new like that eagle; able to fly to higher heights of glory, with renewed strength, and with the eyesight of an eagle, who can see his prey on the ground while flying 1000 feet in the air, --our eyes focused on the prize; we see it from afar and by faith we draw it nigh. So, I encourage you to mount up with your new wings like an eagle, take your flight and soar high towards the Son, Jesus Christ the Son of Righteousness with healing in His wings. Because "earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal". Whatever struggles you are going through, whatever you are holding on to, let it go and let God; let God take you to higher plains than you can ever imagine. It will be worth it all!!!
"He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength. But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:29 & 31.
