Come Into The Word with Sarah Christmyer | Bible Study | Lectio Divina | Journals | Retreat

  • About
  • Blog
    • Scripture Reflection
    • Prayer & Lectio Divina
    • Bible Reading & Study
    • Holidays and Holy Days
    • Discipleship
    • Women of the Bible
  • Resources
    • New Release
    • Books & Journals
    • Bible Studies
    • How-tos & Reading Plans
  • Speaking
    • Speaking Topics
    • Schedule
    • Testimonials
    • Reviews & Interviews
    • Past Events
  • Contact

LORD, HELP ME FLY!

June 10, 2018 By Sarah Christmyer Leave a Comment

The eagles have babies. There’s a big nest in a tree at the end of the lake, and the parents take turns standing sentry on a nearby branch. Normally they don’t seem to notice my kayak but this time as I paddled close, one swooped down and piped a stern warning. Then another rose up right in front of me, wings spread out the size of a man. I watched it soar into a tree, take stock of its surroundings and then take off in search of food.

Oh, if I could fly like that eagle!

There are times when I think I could fly like that, if I had wings. I feel strong and alive, like nothing can stop me. But other times, I give out. My burdens are too great for me to carry anywhere — let alone fly away with them. How is it that an eagle does not faint? When things are looking bad and I can’t get myself up and going, I take strength from these words of Isaiah:

Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel,
“My way is hid from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God”?

Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary, his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.

Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted;
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 40:27-31)

It’s worth meditating on piece by piece. I like the way it meets me where I am, wondering why God isn’t coming to my help. Then it reminds me that He doesn’t get tired out the way I do, and he shares his get-up-and-go with those who don’t have it. Even my kids get tired sometimes. God knows I do! But “they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength.”

God only asks that you wait for him.

I find it hard to wait. I want to take control and make things happen. But waiting on God makes me aware of his power. Waiting on God helps me use His strength instead of my own. And waiting on God is effective! “Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength.”

“Waiting” on God can seem passive or mindless or senseless, but it’s not:

• It is rooted in faith—In the certain knowledge that God is the everlasting God, creator of all, strong and full of love for us and working for our good.

• It is grounded in hope—in forward-looking, confident anticipation.

Read those words from Isaiah again. Pray with them. Make them yours. The Lord knows you inside and out. He never tires. And he gives strength to those who wait for him.

Ponder what the last verse means for your life. For example, I consider what it means to mount up with wings like an eagle:

1. Eagles’ wings are strong. They not only lift the bird, they help it soar.
2. Eagles fly above the mess of the everyday, in the pure air of heaven.
3. From their lofty vantage, they get a big-picture view of their world.
4. That view lets them see with clarity.

Those are four things I want and need especially when I get discouraged and overwhelmed: Power. Release from the mess of the everyday. A big-picture perspective. A clear view of my life.

Lord, help me wait.

© 2018 Sarah Christmyer

You might also like: When it feels like God is not there: Wait!

Pray daily with the Psalms, lenten prayer journal

Filed Under: Scripture Reflection

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

 characters available

Sarah Christmyer writes and speaks about Scripture and the Catholic faith with the goal of helping people meet Jesus in his Word. “The Bible isn’t just a book about God or instructions for a good life; it’s a place to meet God and be changed by him,” she says. Her love of Scripture fuels her writing of Bible studies and related books; her teaching of Philadelphia seminarians; her speaking at conferences and retreats; and writing for blogs such as this one. “Come Into the Word” draws people into the Bible and encourages and equips them to explore it on their own.

Subscribe Here

Sign up to receive new posts and news via email. (Add sarah@comeintotheword.com to your address book to make sure mail arrives in your inbox!)

Search Come Into The Word

Categories

Recent Posts

  • PSALMS FOR LENT: Find GRACE in the Penitential Psalms
  • ADD SCRIPTURE TO YOUR LENTEN DIET
  • TRUST IN GOD; HE’S GOT YOUR BACK
  • FINDING JOY AT CHRISTMAS
  • FOCUSING ON THE CHRIST CHILD with the O Antiphons
  • THANKSGIVING PSALMS: Drowning grief in gratitude

Archives

Recommended

  • Integrated Catholic Life – Catholic blogs and resources
  • Lux App and Lux University – online faith hub for women
  • Peter Kreeft – featured writings and audio
  • The Sacred Page (Michael Barber, John Bergsma, Brant Pitre, John Kincaid) – blog
  • Scripture Speaks (Gayle Somers) – commentary on the Mass readings
  • Speaking of Scripture (Mary Healy, Daniel Keating, Peter Williamson, et al) – blog
  • Women in the New Evangelization (WINE) – women’s ministry, book club, blog

 

We engage in affiliate marketing whereby we receive funds through clicks to our affiliate program through this website. This disclosure is intended to comply with the US Federal Trade Commission Rules on marketing and advertising, as well as any other legal requirements which may apply.

 

Let’s Connect

mailfacebook instagram pinterest

Subscribe Here

Sign up to receive new posts and news via email. (Add sarah@comeintotheword.com to your address book to make sure mail arrives in your inbox!)

MENU

  • About
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • Speaking
  • Contact
  • Home

Copyright © 2023 Come into the Word LLC | Site designed by Cynthia Oswald

  • About
  • Blog
    △
    • Scripture Reflection
    • Prayer & Lectio Divina
    • Bible Reading & Study
    • Holidays and Holy Days
    • Discipleship
    • Women of the Bible
  • Resources
    △
    • New Release
    • Books & Journals
    • Bible Studies
    • How-tos & Reading Plans
  • Speaking
    △
    • Speaking Topics
    • Schedule
    • Testimonials
    • Reviews & Interviews
    • Past Events
  • Contact