Private Flying Lessons

Gus and I walked by a fence this morning where we saw a flying lesson in progress. Mama Bird sat on top of the fence giving directions to two of her wee children who seemed to be goofing off in class a bit. They preferred rolling around in the grass to trying for the top of the fence.  Suddenly, Mama Bird saw us and sounded the alarm: Danger! Danger! The babies panicked and "flew" into each other, each one trying to climb on top of the other to get higher with no one succeeding.  One baby broke loose and headed up to Mama while the other landed in the grass yet again. He regrouped, mustered his wits, spread his tiny wings and lifted himself high enough to latch on halfway up a loose board in the fence. We passed by and he flew up and over the fence to the rest of his family.

For some reason, this little scenario which will be played out millions of times this spring, depicted several spiritual truths:
As baby birds:  *We tend to goof off in the grass, squabbling with brothers and sisters in Christ instead of listening to our Abba calling us to come to Him so He can teach us to fly above our circumstances.  
*When the alarms go off, we tend to panic and try to climb on top of someone else's faith (the preacher's? a friend's? our parent's? Joel Osteen's? Beth Moore's?)  instead of exercising our own.  God calls us to trust Him alone; He doesn't want us to lean on middle men or women, tiring them out and expecting answers they can't give. He wants us leaning on the Everlasting Arms and crawling onto His wings. 

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 

Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; 

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 faint."  

Isaiah 40: 29-31

As Leader Birds: 
*We're to set the example and call others to move in toward Christ.
"Do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure." 1 Timothy 4:22b
*We need to remember we can't fly for other people. We can only encourage and allow others learn to fly in faith as we pray with them, for them, and call out encouragement and testimonies of God's faithfulness to us.  
"Preach the word;be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction." 2 Timothy 4:2


Thank You for Your patience with us when we fail to see the importance of what You're teaching us. Thank You for sounding the alarms, for providing examples, for working through people. But THANK YOU for working through us - through me - as an individual - for wanting to give me private lessons.  Thank You that I don't have to drag others down with a lazy or panicked faith - but that You call to me personally, never leaving me to face danger on my own.  
In the Name of Jesus, Our Supreme Example!