Eaglet or Eagle?

 

Each spring, I watch an internet stream broadcast of the Decorah, Iowa eagle family. During this time, little fluffy eaglets hatch and develop into the exquisite creature we see today as a symbol of strength, freedom and beauty. But first, they were eaglets, wobbling, often falling beak first, into the nest. Sound familiar? I don’t know about you, but, I often feel exactly like that clumsy baby bird. My beak seems to almost always be stuck in the nest. It’s not exactly the majestic eagle of strength, dignity and grace, is it?

Still, while watching this little family, I was fascinated by how such a cute fuzzy-headed, baby bird eventually grows into this incredible creature. Not only is there a sense of humor to God’s creation, there’s also hope. God tells us that we’re like eagles.

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.”

Isaiah 40:31

However, what do we do when, in our current lives, we are more fumbling eaglet than graceful eagle? As I watched the adventures of Huey, Dewey and Louie, I see how process is such a powerful factor. The eaglets went through some stages- and they weren’t always majestic ones either. Nope. Not quite.

 First on the eaglet to eagle scene, we see the struggle of the face/beak plants. How many of these have you and I had in life? Life lesson: we all fall down. Next, the eaglets eventually toddled around, still wobbly and clueless, mind you, but toddling, all the same. Anyone out there relate? The learning process. It never promised it’d be smooth and free from embarrassment, now did it?

And then there’s the flight. I saw instances of reluctant eaglets, perched on the edge of the nest, sizing up the surroundings. “What am I, crazy?” Think that thought ran through their heads? Concerning our personal “flights,” how many of us have uttered that question?

But, eventually, each of these once fuzzy eaglets made the decision to fly. They have no personal experience to draw from. Instead, they have their instinct, perhaps known as eagle faith. They were created for this. These clumsy, wobbly and fragile eaglets have grown into sleek-feathered, confident eagles, launching into the unknown atmosphere, gliding through blue skies.

And when blue skies give way to storm clouds, the eagles are so confident in their soaring abilities, they actually fly over the storm!

So, even as eaglets, we see how they’re destined for great eagle reality. But you and I may not feel much like those confident creatures ourselves. Most of us have fallen and are clumsy. There may even be some of us who haven’t gotten our beaks unstuck from the nest yet. Are we hopeless? No. We’re in training. If we feel we haven’t fully arrived at eagle status, let’s remember that we’re on our way. Some faulty flying and clumsiness may occur during the course of our flight training, but God’s already decided who we are: His Majestic Creations! We are in process.

“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

2 Corinthians 3:18

We are going from eaglet to eagle, so to speak. God has a great flight plan for us, according to Jeremiah 29:11:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Did you catch that? God knows the thoughts and plans for us; we don’t. So, why should we ever assume it’s “over” for us? So, our beak’s stuck; our feathers are matted. You and I are both still here, right? God doesn’t write us off; why should we?

There is a new future, even when we don’t feel it, see it or know it for our lives. It’s not hopeless. It’s never hopeless. There is an eagle in you. Go to God with your life’s wings, whatever state they may be in: broken, clumsy or confident conditions. It still won’t disqualify you. Take to becoming the incredible creature you’re created to be! Remember your training. God is still convinced of your image and purpose. Don’t worry, eaglet. As far as He’s concerned, the eagle in you has landed!

Copyright © 2016 by Sheryle Cruse