Where Eagles Fly
The eagle has been a national emblem of many countries throughout time and, specifically of the United States since 1782. It has been a spiritual symbol for many native peoples far longer than that. These regal birds soar on high in solitude looking for food. They are powerful flyers soaring, gliding, and flapping their wings over long distances.
Eagles are some of the highest flying birds. For example the bald eagle can reach heights of 10,000 feet and even from this height can see its prey on the ground. They have gained the ability to ride on the warm thermals during noon time to gain height. Then they are able to use their powerful muscles and flight feathers that provide control of the soaring flight at high altitudes.
When it rains, most birds head for shelter; the eagle is the only bird that, in order to avoid the rain, soars above the rain clouds……
The eagle’s eyesight is also most amazing: it can identify a rabbit moving almost a mile away. That means that an eagle flying at an altitude of a thousand feet over open country could spot prey over an area of almost 3 miles from a fixed position. It is farsighted, and, with this amazing vision, sees things that many other birds are unaware of.
The Eagle’s Story
This is an inspiring story that was circulated widely on the Internet for years it is a story of transformation and determination to live. The one appeal of the story speaks to the eagle’s extraordinary power to captivate and inspire human beings. While the story is inspiring, it also offers us a way to reflect on our own life’s journey.
It is purported at an eagle to live up to 70 years. But to reach this age, the eagle must make a hard decision. In his 40’s it’s long and flexible talons can no longer grab prey which serves as it’s food. It’s long and sharp peak becomes bent. It’s old aged and heavy wings, due to their thick feathers become stuck to his chest and make it difficult to fly. Then the eagle is left with only two options, to die or go through a painful process of change which lasts hundred 150 days.
The process requires that the eagle fly to the mountaintop and sit on it where it begins by tearing out its talons and continues by knocking its beak against the rock until it plucks out. When it’s new talons and beak grow back, the Eagle starts plucking its old aged feathers and waits for around 150 days for them to regrow.
After this period of some five months, the eagle takes its famous flight of rebirth and lives for another 30 years.
Many people question the validity of this story, but at the very least it should be thought-provoking because within it is the insight into a specific Scripture. (See below).
This is a simple story about an eagle finding a way to live the new life. A way to get rid of the old and replace it with something new. Something better. Most people like the story, and even if it is not entirely accurate, the message it contains is about the results of Salvation. It portrays the fact that when a person is born again, and how, if one is willing to shed the accumulated weight and decay of the past, an entirely new life is waiting for us when we are reborn, to live another life full of potential. Full of purpose, and the abilities, strengths and authority to fulfill that purpose.
“Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (Psa 103:5)
The whole of Psalm 103 is one of gratitude and thanks, praising the Lord for all that He has done, does, and will continue to do for each of his children. The Scripture itself even reminds us that these are the benefits of living as a child of God and which are available without any withholding whatsoever on His behalf. It tells us that the Lord feeds us with good things and provides us with, not only the necessities of life, but the necessities of eternal life. And this must begin with our becoming born again. Becoming Christians. Our rebirth.
This is a simple story about an eagle finding a way to live the new life. A way to get rid of the old and replace it with something new. Something better. Most people like the story, and even if it is not entirely accurate, the message it contains is about the results of Salvation. It portrays the fact that when a person is born again, and how, if one is willing to shed the accumulated weight and decay of the past, an entirely new life is waiting for us when we are reborn, to live another life full of potential. Full of purpose, and the abilities, strengths and authority to fulfill that purpose. And, just like the eagle, we get to go on with our lives. But God makes no bones about the fact that He is also looking for those who are faithful and whom can be trusted to “go into all the world and preach the gospel.”
He is looking for disciples. Those who desire to reach the highest heights of the calling. His Eagles!
Eagles do not belong on the ground, they belong on high, far above the storms. And so do you!
But how do you get there?
The Eagle and The Chicken Story
There was once a female eagle who was born and raised in a chicken coup. She didn’t know that she was an eagle. She had learned her ways from being amongst the chickens. She had learned to scratch the ground and search for bugs just like the chickens. She had never learned to fly very far or very high because chickens don’t do that.
One day, a male eagle flew over the chicken coup and spotted her. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing, and decided to watch her until he could get her alone and ask her why she was there. But, it was very difficult because each time that he appeared one of the other chickens would see him and raise the alarm fearing that he was looking for his next meal.
Eventually the opportunity appeared and he cornered the female. Of course, she was afraid, so he told her that he was not going to harm her but that he just wanted to talk with her. She agreed. So, he asked her what she was doing in the chicken coop and she said “that’s what chickens do, they live in a chicken coop with other chickens.“ And he said to her “don’t you realize that you are an eagle?” He said to her “Look at yourself and look at me. We look alike. Now look at one of the chickens and compare yourself to it. You are different. And, as an eagle, you are not meant to live in a chicken coup, you’re meant to fly high above all the earth, to soar on the high winds, above the mountains, above the storms where no other bird can fly.
She said to him “If I am an eagle, then you will not hurt me or eat me as food.” And the male said, “Of course not!” “Then you will let me pass.” She said. So he stepped aside let her by and she quickly dived into the coup and hid herself amongst the chickens. The male eagle could not believe what she had done, and after having waited for quite some time to see if she would reappear, he gave up and left her to her chosen fate. She bragged to the other chickens about just how she had fooled the eagle into letting her go as she watched him fly away .
Perhaps in her heart she knew she was an eagle but because of her birthplace and things that others had taught her, she did not believe that she was an eagle, or didn’t know how to become what she was born to be. Many times she would go out into the chicken run, look up into the sky wishing that she could fly and rise up as high as that eagle. But chickens are only meant to fly a few feet off of the ground…….. unless they are an eagle!
(Isaiah 40:31) But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Are YOU an eagle or a chicken?
We can help you find out when you enroll in our Systematic Discipleship Program. Click the link below for more information: