Bon Cherry

It is in these unprecedented times of uncertainty that I believe God is teaching us to soar.  To catch the thermals of His Spirit and rest upon the winds that will take us to the highest heights in Him.  To the place where we are one with Him. Attuned to His every utterance. Captivated by His ceaseless love.  Assured of His goodness and faithfulness.

The eagle’s flight teaches us how to soar and not just fly; to catch the wind of the Spirit so we can have the strength to reach beyond our human capacity- to reach heights far above what we could ever comprehend in our own strength.

Isaiah 40:30-31—“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31] but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles…” (See: 1 Tim. 4:2; John 5:19; Matt. 11:30.

Floods of tears. Mascara stained cheeks.  A sad heart.  Every breath.  Was sore…

In November 2019, after 11 months of “flapping”, I approached the reality of the pain I faced. I made the call to relocate my business from Kloof to Salt Rock. With this decision came having to part ways with a few of the beautiful people on my team who I grew to love so deeply. People I cared for as if they were my own family.

You see the reality of a 60 minute commute to my office was expensive, time consuming and not sustainable for me, nor for some of the people who lived in the Highway area.  The drive was long, taxing and a time waste and whilst we now know that working remotely is the new normal, at the time my staff needed me to be present in the office. But my children and husband also needed me close. I needed me… to be me. I was spread thin. Divided.

As I faced the reality of change, a beautiful friend reminded me of what happens when an eagle learns to fly.  I was reminded of a prophetic word that was given to me in the December before, at the time we felt God speaking to us about relocating from Kloof to Salt Rock.   This word of encouragement spoke of how I would learn to soar with perspective, catch the thermals of Gods Spirit and reach new heights.

Exodus 19:4.

“You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself”

Little did I know that learning to soar is not an easy process and that whilst eagles, of course, were meant to fly, they don’t know that. If one were to take an eagle and separate it at birth from its parents, it would never learn to fly. It would just grovel around in the dirt like a chicken. It might even look up and see eagles soaring overhead and never guess that it was meant to soar in the heavens.  Eagles have to be taught, and that’s the mother’s job.

When the mother eagle makes her nest she gathers sharp twigs and thorny briars to create the frame.   She then layers the sharp edges of the nest with soft feathers and leaves where her babies will find refuge.  Once the eaglets reach the point where they are ready to fly, the mother removes the feathers and makes the nest an uncomfortable place to be.   She then hovers over the babies so as to demonstrate the movement they ought to make when soaring.  Her next move is harrowing.  The mother then pushes the baby eaglets out of the nest and down the cliff face.  Just before the baby plummets to its death on the side of a treacherous rock face, the mother swoops down to rescue it.  She repeats this distressing process until the baby eaglet realises what it was created to do.

I now sit here 6 months later, in awe of what the uncomfortable process of change taught me, and I am so grateful for what took place.

1. I have learnt to follow and trust completely in the still small voice of the Spirit that assures me that I am made for such a time as this.  I have learnt to let go and allow the thermals to carry me.  To trust in the one who goes into my future to prepares the way,  and in kindness follows behind me.
2. I have learnt that He is the one reads my heart like an open book and knows every step I will take before my journey even begins.
3. I have learnt to let the voice of the Lord sound louder than the opinions of man.  And that seeking mans approval over Gods is the devils tactic to keep me from ever learning to soar.  Walking in the fear of man is like clinging to the “safety nest” of mediocrity. It is apathy covered by sharp thorns.  I cannot please both God and man.
4. I have come to terms with the fact that I am not meant to strive.
5. I have learnt that with his hand of love upon my life he imparts blessing. 
6. We are not victims of our circumstances.

I hope that in these difficult times of “Covid-19” uncertainty you will find comfort in the fact that perhaps you have been pushed from the nest, and that God has more for you.  He is calling you to wait upon him, to mount up on wings like an eagle and soar. You are created for such a time as this.

Birds don’t like storms, but eagles love storms because it forces them higher and higher. Do not look at the storm around you and perceive destruction, you are not a victim.  Trust fully in the Lord, and do not doubt His goodness.  He will swoop down to rescue you.  He loves you.  He will provide for you. You are His beloved child, His perfect creation and the object of His devotion and affection.  Don’t be swayed by the opinions of man at this time.  Follow the still small voice, the wisdom found in the inmost place of your heart, and trust that if God is for you, who or what can be against you.

Wait upon the Lord alone.

You have been created to soar.