HE RENEWS

Recently, I spotted a bald eagle perched on a post. This rare sight captivated me. I slowed down and observed this majestic creature unfurling its wings and gracefully ascending into the sky. I watched as the eagle's wings made two smooth and powerful motions that carried the eagle high enough until it needed no more effort of its own. Instead, it caught an air current, where it calmly soared on the wind without effort.

For as long as it was in my view, it did not make even one more motion with its wings. Since the wind was carrying it, it had no need to expend energy, so there was no reason it would become tired. Suddenly, this verse made sense.

The enemy would have us wind ourselves up, running in circles with confusion and endless battles, trying to make our plans come to life. The liar entices with, "Do it yourself, look after yourself, take care of yourself." And in so doing, we wear ourselves out.

Just as an eagle needs to rest occasionally, we must also rest. Our lives are filled with busyness. We go to work, record albums, go to the gym, and have fun with our family and friends, among many other things. But there are times when resting is required.

Scripture says that a person plans his ways, but the Lord directs the steps (Proverbs 16:9). This often requires waiting.

But waiting on the Lord is not a passive act. It is an active trust in His timing and His plans. It is a choice to rest in His sovereignty and His goodness even when we don't understand His ways. This kind of waiting is not easy and requires resting, but it is essential for our spiritual growth and ability to soar like an eagle.

Abraham waited for years to hold his promised son. He did not wait well. He scurried around, trying to make it happen, and in so doing, created a mess. On the other hand, we can look at Joseph, who waited with grace. Joseph had ample reason to try and make his own path; he was an innocent man imprisoned. He did interpret a dream and instructed his friend to tell the king of Joseph's skills in hopes of being released. That failed.

But the day did come; God planned for the king to have another dream that disturbed him. Joseph's old friend remembered his dream interpreting skills and told the king, who promptly went to the imprisoned man.

God's timing is impeccable. He is already at the end of the story. We see from the beginning and think we know the way forward, but it is all about us in our planning. With God, it is never just about us. God used Joseph to save Israel from famine. God used Noah to save the human race. God used Moses to free the Israelites, and God will use you for great and mighty things. Rest assured, those things will not be for only your benefit. Who knows how many others He wants to save through you?

The enemy would have you hurry ahead, figure it out, wear out, and faint. But the Lord says, "Wait on me. I will get you where you are going in my timing, and it will be more than you hoped for. You will not get weary in the process.”

PRACTICAL APPLICATION:

Write this characteristic on a sticky note and place it where you’ll see it daily. GOD RENEWS ME.

Read the following verses on how God renews: 2 Corinthians 5:17, 2 Corinthians 4:16, Lam.3:22-23.

PRAYER:

God, I am weary. I get tired of trying to make my own plans come to fruition. When I wait on You, I see that You will cause things to work together in Your timing to bring about the desired result. Remind me that You are in my present and future, and You can be trusted to get me where You want me to be.

I surrender my scurrying to You and ask that You give me the grace to wait in peace and rest. Help me learn to be patient in the waiting and not to pout and huff around frustrated, but rejoice to know that Your way is much better than mine.