“But 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.”

Isaiah 40:31

The Eagle is the apex predator of the sky. This means it has no equal—no natural threats that hunt it and conquer it. It eats other animals but no other animals eat it. An eagle is majestic and a symbol of strength, power, and grace. It’s also a beautiful story of the success of conservation.

Just because no animal eats the eagle doesn’t meant mean other birds don’t try. Crows and ravens, to name a few, are feisty birds that peck and pick at the eagle. They climb on an eagle’s back and pick at its neck. Why on the back? Simple, it is out of the reach of the Eagles retaliation. From the safety of its back the angry bird attacks the Eagle—to no avail. The eagle pays no attention to the bird pecking at its back. Instead it defeats the crow or raven with its apex strength.

When the eagle is attacked it takes to the sky. It soars. It soars high—higher than the crow.

Of course, the nuance between the territory disputes between a crow and an eagle are more complicated than this simple description. But the point remains, the Eagle moves beyond the crow and the raven. It soars high and claims its throne as the apex predator of the skies. It is the top dog who plays to its strength.

Eagles soar. This doesn’t just mean that they fly high. It means that they do so with an incredible ability to conserve their energy. Certainly flapping their wings is an essential element to their flight. But the majestic eagle harnesses the wind to fly higher. They ride the currents of the air with their enormous wingspan that reaches up to 7.5 feet across. Their great size enables them to be lifted by warm air as it rises. Without flapping, eagles cut through the air with great efficiency. Eagles soar.

This is the beauty of Isaiah’s word today. The soaring eagle illicit a beautiful image of living a life full of the Spirit of God (sure, the Holy Spirit appears as a dove, but give me some leeway here for a minute). There have been times in my life when I have felt in step with the Holy Spirit. I hope the same is true for you. In those moments, I feel alive. It certainly isn’t that life comes easy in those moments, but there is a weightlessness to the worries that I carry. I’m not problem free, but the problems take up less real estate in my heart and head. I’m often serving others or living into a purposeful mission that has meaning.

I hope the same has been true in those moments for you. I hope there have been times when you have soared like an eagle.

Too often we equate “waiting on the Lord” to twiddling our thumbs while we listen or while we pass timer the Lord to answer our prayers, our requests, our longings. This isn’t waiting on the Lord. This is squandering moments. Instead, waiting on the Lord is about doing the things that waiters do—it is about finding meaningful ways to serve—serve the Lord and serve others.

There is a very real power behind service. In serving others you help someone else that is in a dark place. And, in serving others you reflect a brighter light within your own soul. Are you struggling to find your way? Look for ways to help others find theirs—you will be doubly blessed. Does depression and sadness overwhelm you? Lean into serving others—become someone who others depend upon and you will take a small and important step towards hope-filled healing.

Waiting on the Lord renews your strength. Why? Because stepping into serving others energizes and activates you towards the Lord’s work. Living in purpose, like an eagle soaring, takes you further. It propels you on the strength and power of the Lord.

I stink at waiting and I’m even worse at waiting on the Lord. I’m impatient and I live under my strength and my direction. I am weary. And I become more weary when I wait on myself. I climb uphill battles with myself and my own desires. I faint under the pressure and as a result of the exhaustion. Isaiah shows us a different way.

This is the power of God’s goodness. He invites you in to trust Him. He shows you a path towards soaring. He lends you His strength and shows you the path to walk.

I assure you, this is the easier path. His way is better than any way we could ever uncover on our own. Not without struggle. Not without exhaustion. Not without suffering—the way of the Lord is marked by suffering. But, the way of the Lord is marked by soaring like an eagle.

The Good News is this, however. The Lord’s love is not dependent upon your ability, willingness, or obedience to serve Him or others. The grace of God is not available only to those who have renewed strength. Jesus’ love is yours, regardless if you soar like an eagle. But, come on—let’s fly! It sounds way more fun!

In what way are you hoping to soar in the week ahead?