As the Eagle...

In a desert land God found him [Jacob]. in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; he guarded him as the apple of his eye, like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them on its pinions. 

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Praise erupts and we chirp like baby birds when all our "needs" are met, keeping us snug and warm, well-fed, comfortably providing for without any effort of our own. Born desperate into a barren and howling wasteland, we weakly thank God for his Son's rescue, but determinedly live as going it alone, making our own choices. We seldom consider His continued loving involvement, especially in mundane daily activities. We never would admit it, but secretly, we think we deserve happiness. We're unable to see happiness is really based on feathers not being ruffled.
We like being safe, not now so much, but for that far away future.

But these words captured my thoughts...

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As an eagle stirs up its nest - - - to make its young test strength of wings.
hovers over its young --- constant & loving daily, moment by moment care
spreads its wings to catch them --- knows their weakness and learning skill level
carries them on its pinions --- carries them on HIS own strength

LORD! Have you stirred the nest in my life to encourage me to fly? To strengthen my faith?
Because of your promise, I know I'm forever in your Presence. I love the idea that you are hovering nearby, guarding me as the apple of your eye, but are you also challenging my faith to action by stirring the nest?

These thoughts are too wonderful for me to grasp! You stir up my nest! Your Word just revealed to me what is so often pushed away by whining and complaining over a circumstance. You want me to know it is YOU caring for me, stirring and testing me when my comforts are

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stirred up. Each little conflict, hurt, decision, circumstance, relationship is really you as you teach me to fly!
Do I believe?
Is my faith genuine?
How trusting is my faith?

I get a little nervous when the nest shakes! But, You have my attention, Lord...show me. Use other passages to affirm your Word in me!

"...for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." Jms 1:3 
James wrote of this nest stirring as a testing of faith. He believed it would strengthen the resolve of our faith, solidifying our stand and moving us toward maturity.
Could this actually read..."there must be a stirring of the nest as you learn to stand stronger?

Peter says not to be surprised when the nest shakes..."Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you (stirring your nest) to test you, as though something strange was happening to you...after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, (hovering nearly) who (shakes the nest) has called you to his eternal glory in Christ will HIMSELF restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you".(as you feel the mighty everlasting wings lift you up on His pinions) 1 Peter 4;1;, 5:9

In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul tells us that we can help with God's stirring by "truly judging ourselves",  exercising personal discipline in training for godliness? 1 Tim 4
And there are so many other passages on this strengthening of wings...

I picture a little eaglet perched on the edge of the nest as it rocks and teeters. He squawks his complaints and flaps little wings in disgust, nervously glancing at the height of the drop, the open space; focused on the fall, and so many other issues. He longs for comfort, the strength of larger wings, the snugness of a stable home, so, he grips more securely to the nest's temporary straw rim and squawks again, even louder!
Where is the love he has experienced in the past?
Where is that constant care that he commonly felt at his littlest peep?

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Eagles live in barren, deserted high rises of rocks, but can you imagine a community of nests, all squawking their advice, and sometimes even condemnation?
All knowing how to fly best, which direction to head, the take-off and speed of wing flapping, the reason to fly and definitely, where an eaglet should land.
Maybe all are so engrossed in planning or giving advice, habitually squawking...they just do not see,
or simply forget
there is One who is hovering nearby.

Eagle-life...
Who is the One who chose the day to fly?
Is it One's prerogative to stir a nest?
Do we believe One is hovering nearby, as we tentatively flap our wings?
Are we willing to attempt One's call to fly?
Do we look to One's instruction as we step up to the stirring and challenge?

When we experience a "stirred up nest", to whom do we listen ?
Jude warns us to in these last days..."I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend the faith...for certain people have crept in unnoticed..."

My open Bible greets each day

Dearest Lord! You are my Guard!
I know you are hovering over my stirred up nest.
I'm trusting your hovering.

I'm flapping...flying...falling...

Ahhh...
Your wings are trustworthy and powerful, so ready to swoop down and catch me, carrying me on your pinions!

As I focused on these verses, others came to mind and I realized My Lord's purpose when the nest stirs and faith is tested...
He is conforming me to be in the image of His Son!

And someday, I will soar as an eagle...
"They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint..." Isa 40:31
God never moves without purpose or plan
when trying his servant and molding a man
My father know best and I'll trust in his care
Through purging more fruit I will bear...  [Rejoice in the LORD by Ron Hamilton]

It's such an adventure to flap, free fall, feel the strength of Mighty wings, and then, try again!
I'm learning to fly...to mount up with wings like eagles!!
I'm learning to enjoy this stirring, because my Loving Father is faithfully teaching me to trust Him!