Soaring or Striving?

Friday, 19 August 2011

I find writing in my journal is a great way for me to
crystallise my thoughts, align myself with

Father, and record things I am learning and my prayers and
decisions.

Would you (yes, only you!) like a peek inside it? I will let
you read a recent entry. I wrote this when David and I were enjoying a little
break sitting outside a lovely apartment just south of the Lake District, with
a beautiful view of sweeping green woods on either side and a glimpse of the
sea on the horizon. In the sky I watched two birds, too far away to identify.
One, smaller, was actively flapping its wings, apparently fighting the air
currents. The other, larger, higher in the sky, some sort of bird of prey,
soared seemingly without effort, riding on the wings of the wind.

So, here is some of what I wrote:

As I sit here with
you, Daddy, I know that this is what you want for me, and what I want for
myself, and for the sake of those in my life!..more soaring, less flapping,
more gliding, less striving. Yes, I know that if I ran and jumped off this
balcony now, flap or glide, I would fall on my face, and maybe the soaring bird
is using as much energy as the other, flustered-looking one (can a bird be
flustered?!) to hold itself still and position itself correctly to catch the
wind, BUT I so want to live in this soaring way, riding the current of your
Spirit.

So, how do I know
which way the wind is blowing, when to take my feet off the ground and jump,
how to angle myself, like the bird of prey, to catch the next thermal?

As usual, the answer
all rests in you, Father. In time spent with you and in constant relationship
with you. As John says in his letter, if I am led by you, I am your child.

Of course, I will
continue to work hard, but let me be working at the right things at the right
time in the right way and with the right words and wisdom. If I abide in you “I
will bear much fruit.”

So, I am going to keep
the picture of the two birds in my mind’s eye and remind myself of two ways of
living:

 Flapping or flying?

Soaring or slaving?

Flesh or spirit?

For approval or from
approval?

Exhausting or
renewing?

Resentful or joyful?

Counting the hours or
every moment lived to the full?

Little lasting fruit
or very fruitful?

Isaiah 40 seems to
fit…

“Those who wait on 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
be faint.”

O.K. that’s all you’re allowed to read.

Maybe you have your own journal to open? Your own prayers to
record?

Every blessing!

Love,

Susan x