Raising Eagles, Not Chickens: A Faith Perspective

I have been listening to a new audio book on Audible, A Time to Selah by Lana Vawser. At the beginning of chapter 3 she brings up a good question about a new level of normal. She says thatGod isn’t raising up chickens, but He is raising up Eagles. We are not chickens who walk around in fear running in circles. We are Eagles, called by the King of Kings to rise above the world’s normal.

“But those who wait on 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 40:31

We walk by faith. That hit me. That poses the question: Whose Normal are you listening to? Am I believing the world’s version of normal or God’s version of normal?

“ For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven,  if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.  Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.  So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight.” – 2 Corinthians 5:1-7 NKJV

I know my eyesight is not 20/20, but even with glasses I can choose to believe in what I see here and now, or I can use my super duper faith vision to see what God says about me and my circumstances. And so can you!

“ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” – Hebrews 11/1 NKJV

God’s word encourages us to use our faith even more. The gift of the Holy Spirit will even help us pray when we don’t know how or what to pray.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.  For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.  For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.  For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. ²Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.  For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.  For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.  Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.” – Romans 8:18-30 NKJV

That brings me peace. Jesus is my intercessor. He is acting in my behalf. And the Holy Spirit makes intercession for the saints (us) according to the will of God.

“Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.” – Romans 8:34 NKJV

No matter what challenges we are facing, God already knows. I can use my faith and trust the Word of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit to pray the prayers I don’t know how to. It’s ok if we forget – or don’t feel like praying – the Holy Spirit has us covered! Praise the Lord!