Pondering in His Presence: Soaring

"But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

I was thinking about the fears I have in my life, especially my fear of flying and heights. I am a white-knuckle airline traveler. I don't sit up in a balcony. I do not like elevators. I don't even wear high heeled shoes! I prefer to keep my feet on the ground at all times. I am not extremely adventurous. I refrain from taking risks. Years ago, I began to notice how these fears had spilled over into my spiritual life, making me afraid to "mount up with wings as eagles" and soar to new heights with Christ.

While vacationing in Florida with my family about twenty years ago, I suggested we try the new "Soaring" ride that had recently been added at Epcot. I guess I really did not know what was ahead of me. I later understood both the look of shock that appeared on my husband's face when I mentioned we try this attraction, and the speed in which he quickly raced us towards the ride before I could change my mind.

When our "flight attendant" came to give us last minute instructions and all those wonderful warnings and health cautions, I could feel my pulse begin to beat faster. What on earth was I doing here? Too afraid to move, I found myself being pushed forward by all the other passengers as the doors opened and we were seated in our "gliders". We were asked to firmly secure handbags, caps, and loose articles in a compartment below our seats, after which a "steward" came around to ensure that we were all tightly fastened and belted in. My heart was racing so quickly at this point, I just began to pray that God would help me endure this ride and get me off safely. I was seated between my husband my 13-year-old son who were both trying to reassure me how much fun I was going to have on this ride.

Suddenly lights dimmed and our "glider" began to rise. As gusts of wind began to take my breath away, my hands flew to cover my mouth and nose, while simultaneously shutting my eyes tightly. This is how I remained for most of the ride. Occasionally I took little peeks out between fingers firmly guarding my face, seeing glimpses of spectacular views. Finally the ride came to an end and I realized I was still alive. I had survived!

As we left this attraction God began to speak quietly to my heart. "Joy, I want you to do more than survive life. I want you to live it to the full. I want you to mount up with wings like eagles. I want you to soar." As this ride was called, "Soaring", I suddenly turned to my husband and said, "Let's do that again." He looked at me strangely. He knew I had hated every second of that experience, but I said, "This time, I want to keep my eyes wide open."

What a thrill this second time around was for me. It is not my desire to go through life with my eyes closed. I want to live the adventure. We are held hostage and paralyzed by the things that frighten us. There is a children's book that asks the reader to "imagine a day when you don't need wings to soar." A song I heard years ago has lyrics that say, "It's time for you to fly. It's time to soar on eagle's wings. Don't be afraid you're not alone, so lift your head up high. It's time for you to fly."

God has designed us to live life fully and Christ came to enable us to live out that design. Christ will empower us to live an abundant life. Are we tapping in to all the power that God has made available to us? Have we made personal all that God has made possible?

The Lord is calling us to "fly". None of this happens in our own strength, but as we trust in Him to provide the "wind beneath our wings". The great thing is, we don't even need to set one foot on an airplane to do so. We just need to surrender ourselves into the arms of Christ and He will carry us to heights unknown.

Will you respond to Christ's invitation, having faith to believe that with Him you can soar?

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