Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Hibernate For A Flight Like The Eagle - 1

Ever wondered why the Eagle is one bird that soars the highest and does not struggle in flight? As I carefully studied the Isaiah 40:31, I realized that man's enviable flight depends on the level of light, the power of God the Holy Spirit.

Isaiah 40:1
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.

The wings of the Eagle and how far they soar depend solely on the wind. The Eagle never sets out until it feels the wind thermal. Many times, you find the Eagle hibernating in order to regain its strength, build itself, ascertain the next line of action, wait for the wind thermal, before setting out. The stronger the wind, the higher they fly and the lesser they struggle flapping their wings (they only soar).
That brings me to the conclusion that, those who wait upon the Lord before they take any action are set up for undeniable success and a colorful destiny. Man's struggle is linked to his knowledge of himself and his ability to do anything he deems fit. Jesus said;

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing - John 15:5

We are in the era of the Holy Spirit, who is ever ready to speak to us and direct us on what to do in our endeavor. His presence is undeniable, so also the effect of his leading. What you'll usually accomplish in 10 years with much struggles, the Holy Spirit will work with you to achieve in less than 10 years, without struggles; when I say without struggles, it only means that you'll have to yield to the Holy Spirit to make it a lot easier. The Eagle spirit is such that yields its power, ability and all, to the wind; if you will take a flight like the eagle, it's time for you to hibernate, re-evaluate yourself, your life and your vision, then wait for the leading of the Holy Spirit.
 
A couple of months ago, I watched a group of people get into a fierce argument that seemed impossible to resolve, no one wanted to yield for the other, no one was ready to let go without getting to the bottom of the case; as they dug deeper, more people were roped in and they all spoke with so much emotion that I could see them being torn apart if anyone didn't intervene. Though I read all their comments, I could not say a word because I was incomplete and incapable without the Holy Spirit. Two weeks passed, the case was still on and getting even fiercer. After worship service one Sunday, as I was driving home, I spoke with one of them who'd wanted me to say something about the situation, but I responded, "I have nothing to say, except the Holy Spirit tells me what to do and say". Hours passed that same day, and at just the right time, the Holy Spirit told me what to do. Before I spoke to all of them, I had contacted the two main people that were at the center of the case - heard their sides of the story. Instantly, the Holy Spirit helped me understand the source of the problem. As much as those involved in the rift were much older than me, I knew the truth, I had a witness within me, and I had to speak the truth regardless of what they'll think - I got the wisdom from the Holy Spirit. Finally, I commented in the most loving way, in a way they had never known me, firm but gentle. One after the other, the Holy Spirit pointed out the one who had the fire and gas. They did not understand where that wisdom and maturity came from, but I understood that I could never have settled it without the Holy Spirit. No one was bitter, no one complained any further and the case was closed in peace. That is what the Holy Spirit can do!

Many times, we try to take care of situations that are obviously bigger than us. We try to establish an empire that requires the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to lay the foundation and erect; we try to start a ministry and run it by our own strength, we try to counsel people using our own wisdom; we try to make marital decision based on what we see and think should be; we choose and pick places of worship by the size of the building and congregation or the number of family and friends that are there; many have resolved to making God the Holy Spirit their last resort. Think about it this way, if you had five stones to take down a prey, would you rather throw all fives stones by your strength and still miss your target, however easy it may appear; or would you rather depend on God who has what it takes to make you hit the target once, after taking you through some trainings and seasons of preparation (hibernation)? Think also about this, have you ever seen a car which was not powered that moved without jerking and much struggle?

The Eagle takes up new wings while they hibernate, to enable them soar higher whenever the wind thermal comes. The Holy Spirit knows when you have adequately prepared yourself for a task and comes at the right time to empower you for an enviable result. The Apostle in the book of Acts 1& 2, always met at the upper room to pray as they waited on God for the promise (hibernating). After their preparation was complete, the Holy Spirit came on them that souls were won in thousands. Peter not only preached the Word, he demonstrated the power behind the spoken word, halleluiah!!! The presence of the Holy Spirit is evident by the results.

Quit struggling to get things done because you think time is far spent and you're behind, yet, you have nothing to show for your struggles. Quit leaning on your strength and capability, they can't take you far, quit trying to make new inventions the same way after several times of failing. It's time to hibernate - take invention and find out better ways to make life more beautiful and admirable. If you need to go back to school to get a better degree, do it as you wait on the Lord; if you need to take marriage counsel for you to become a better partner for your husband or wife, go ahead and depend on the Holy Spirit to make your marriage the sweetest; if you need  to go take courses and attend seminars for your business to grow and attract more client, do it as you depend on the Holy Spirit to tell you when to carry out what you know. In all, we all need the power of the Holy Spirit to get us to that place of glory, irrespective of our preparation.

Success is not guaranteed until you completely yield to the power behind success. Deuteronomy 8:18 - Remember the LORD your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful.....(NLT). Know this, if it's worth doing, it should be glorious; if it will be glorious, then, it's worth waiting upon God the Holy spirit. Eagles are always associated with the sky as the highest level of flight, so also, the man and woman who hibernates as they wait upon the Lord.

(Please read further "Hibernate for a flight like the Eagle - 2)