A Whole Lot of Flapping with Nowhere to Go

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, and they will walk and not become weary.   Isaiah 40:28-31

In our bible study this week, we were asked to give our favorite bible verse and this is one that one of the ladies said was her favorite.  She talked about how it meant a lot to her because she often felt like she is not soaring, but flapping very hard, trying to soar.

That is the story with most of us.  We don’t read the fine print so to speak.  The bible verse says that yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, and they will walk and not become weary.  If we pay attention to what this verse says, we will realize that God is the one who will make us soar, not our own efforts.  I know this describes how I feel so much of the time.  I am flapping and flapping and I when I look around it does not seem like anything is getting done.  I am going around in circles and have nothing to show for all my effort.  God tells us that He will carry us.  He will give us strength and He will increase our power.  Even the young stumble and grow weary, but if we just wait, if we just allow Him to be the wind beneath our wings, we will soar like eagles.  We will not grow tired and weary, we will soar…in His power.  Flapping your wings and getting nowhere will make you very weary and tired.  It is a fruitless effort and when we let God do it for us, we can rest in Him.

Waiting is often difficult because we equate it with inactivity and feeling nonproductive.  We are not good at waiting patiently either by human nature.  But waiting, which can also be translated as hoping, means to wait with expectation, to look forward with great anticipation. The implication is that we are waiting and watching with expectation towards what God is going to do.  You don’t want to miss the blessing that God has for you because you are busy making your own blessing.  You don’t want to miss the take-off.  You don’t want to miss the scenery when He lifts you on wings like eagles. 

Sometimes God has us wait to prepare us.  Maybe He is renewing your strength.  We panic because we need to feel like we are doing something.  If we aren’t flapping, we aren’t solving the problem or making progress.  But God may just want you to be still and wait.  He only gives good and perfect things; it will come in His time and not yours.  Wait.

The other thing about these verses that I love is the fact that it says we will soar like eagles.  It does not say we will be eagles, we will soar like eagles.  There is a difference.  God will transform you but He most likely will transform you into what He has planned.  He may not plan for you to be an eagle.  He may want you to be a sparrow.  If that is the case, stop flapping your wings trying to fly like an eagle when He intends for you to soar…like a sparrow.

Trying to do things in our own power is exhausting.  Flapping your wings constantly will wear you out and get you nowhere.  Trust God, wait patiently for His timing and enjoy the ride.

This devotional is dedicated to God first (of course) and then to the ladies in my bible study and to Kay Crumley for leading us.  I am blessed beyond words to get to be a part of such a wise and beautiful group of women.

Scripture to Claim:
"Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD." Psalm 27:17

 Submitted By Lara Cook